25 players took part in Germany’s first training session in Qatar ahead of their opening World Cup game against Japan on Wednesday. On Saturday, the DFB confirmed that Niclas Füllkrug missed the session with flu symptoms.
Both Thomas Müller and Antonio Rüdiger took part after completing individual training sessions on Friday whilst the remaining players rested following a day of travel. Also returning to the squad was Marc-André ter Stegen, who missed Germany’s 1-0 win against Oman with a stomach infection.
It’s unclear as of yet whether Füllkrug will recover in time ahead of Germany’s Group E game against Japan. The 29-year-old is the highest scoring German in Europe this season with 10 goals in 14 Bundesliga games for Werder Bremen.
His absence could potentially cause Hansi Flick a selection headache. Germany are already without Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha heading into the tournament, which resulted in the call-up of Füllkrug, who scored on his Germany debut against Oman, and Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko, who also made his debut in that game.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
