Following the announcement that first-choice German keeper Rene Adler, who plays for Bayern Leverkusen, has been forced to pull out of the World Cup due to injury, German coach Joachim Loew faces a selection headache.
Adler, 25, has been told he will require surgery on his ribs for a second time in his career, the first in 2006 was to insert a metal plate to repair a career-threatening injury.
The keeper said he could have gone to the finals but the pain was too intense to perform at his peak or for long periods.
Germany now face a problem as they have few standout performers with whom to replace him. Robert Wiese and Tim Neuer are most likely since former No.1 Robert Enke committed suicide in November.
The fact that this injury was so unexpected and the close proximity to the deadline for squad finalising makes it a very uncomfortable time for the Germany management.
