By DAN KARELL
Miroslav Klose only recently returned from a foot injury, but a fresh injury suffered last Sunday for Lazio has ruled the veteran striker out of Germany’s final two matches of 2013.
Klose suffered a shoulder injury in Lazio’s 1-1 draw with Parma and speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Germany manager Joachim Löw ruled the 35-year-old forward out for the next two to three weeks. Klose joins Mario Gomez, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bastian Schweinsteiger as German internationals who are all out with injury.
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has been ruled out of the match against Italy on Friday but he’ll meet up with the Germany team when they arrive in London to prepare for their friendly match with England on Tuesday. Mertesacker’s Arsenal teammate Mesut Özil has been deemed fit for both matches.
Here are some more stories to start your Wednesday:
CARRICK RULED OUT UNTIL MID-DECEMBER
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick could be out until the start of the new year due to a persistent Achilles injury.
Just a few days after playing the full 90 in Manchester United’s 1-0 victory against Arsenal, Carrick was forced to withdraw from the England National Team camp and has been ruled out by the Man United medical staff for the next four to six weeks. With Carrick out, it’s expected that summer signing Marouane Fellaini will step into the vacant place in the lineup.
Reports in England say that Carrick needed an injection on Tuesday to reduce the swelling in the area. Carrick is the third Man United player to pull out of an international friendly match in the last two days, joining fellow England teammate Danny Welbeck and Netherlands international Robin Van Persie.
ROSSI MISSES TRAINING, STILL A DOUBT FOR GERMANY MATCH
For the second consecutive day, forward Guiseppe Rossi missed Italian National Team training, leaving him in some real doubt as to whether or not he’ll play against Germany in Milan on Friday.
Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli said earlier this week that he’d like to start the Fiorentina man alongside Mario Balotelli as a forward pair, but with Rossi out for another day, Prandelli went with Balotelli and Osvaldo in training.
“Giuseppe has no fever, but he still has a sore throat and it affects him physically,” Italy team doctor Enrico Castellatti said to Italian publication Gazzetta Dello Sport. “It’s getting better, but he is on antibiotics and Friday is a short time away.
Prandelli said on Wednesday that he’d decide by the end of the day whether or not Rossi would take part in the match against Germany. If Rossi recovers, he could play against Nigeria on Monday in London.
QUICK KICKS
Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan are battling it out for the transfer of Edin Dzeko, who could be looking to leave Manchester City in search of regular playing time. (REPORT)
English club Middlesbrough FC have appointed former Colorado Rapids defender and Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka to be the club’s new manager. (REPORT)
The Spanish National Team released it’s latest kit on Tuesday, one that will be worn during the World Cup in Brazil. (REPORT)
Both Steven Gerrard and Kyle Walker have been ruled out of England’s friendly match with Chile due to minor injuries. (REPORT)
The consequences of Chelsea’s firing of former manager Roberto Di Matteo mean that they’re still paying his salary through June 2014, which entitles Di Matteo to £130,000 per week. (REPORT)
Former Brazil boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo has been sacked by Fluminense after a poor run of results, despite just taking the job in July. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Klose representing Germany at the World Cup next summer? Do you believe Fellaini can fill in properly for Carrick? Do you see Rossi recovering in time?
Share your thoughts below.