Germany's football team received a big blow ahead of the European 2016 semifinals as central defender Mats Hummels remained suspended after seeing two yellow cards, while midfielder Sami Khedira and striker Mario Gomez could also miss through injury.
Bayern Munich player Hummels was booked late in regulation time of his side's 6-5 shoot-out victory over Italy, after their clash here on Saturday finished locked at 1-1.
For Hummels, it marked his second yellow of the tournament, ruling him out of Thursday's meeting with either France or Iceland.
"The second yellow card is hurting, to be suspended because of those two situations. But my body can rest two or three more days," Hummels was quoted as saying by goal.com after his team's historic win over Italy.
Germany head coach Joachim Loew was unable to predict whether or not Khedira or Gomez would be available for his side's Euro semi-final match.
"Sami -- it's not too positive to have to bring him off after 15 minutes in such a game, he had a problem with his hamstring. I don't know if he will heal before Thursday," Loew said.
"Gomez has a problem as well but I don't know much about that," the coach added.
While not writing off Iceland, Low expected to face hosts France in Marseille on Thursday. France battle Iceland on Sunday in the last quarter-finals match.
"France are the favourites. They are the hosts and they have a great side with individual quality. Iceland have surprised us, they are well organised in defence. It won't be easy for France against such enthusiastic opposition but I think if France put their quality on the pitch they will get to the semi-finals," Loews said.
"If you're in the semi-finals, the goal is to reach the final so I think now we have to focus on recovering. A game like this affects the body, we have to make sure to recover the players and we want more."
--IANS
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