Marco Reus will miss the upcoming World Cup due to an injury, the German Soccer Association (DFB) said in an official statement Saturday.
Germany's worst fears came true as Reus suffered a ligament injury during the 6-1 victory over Armenia, the last friendly before the World Cup, in Mainz Friday night, reports Xinhua.
A MRI scan revealed that the 23-year-old Dortmund-born partially tore his syndesmosis ligaments and will be therefore out of action for at least "seven or eight weeks", the DFB confirmed. However, a surgical intervention is not needed.
"This is extremely regrettable for him and for us. Marco was in great shape; he has left an excellent impression in the training camp and in both friendlies against Cameroon and Armenia. He played a central role in our considerations for Brazil," said coach Joachim Loew.
Loew called up Sampdoria defender Shkodran Mustafi, who was part of the provisional squad.
"It wasn't our intention to replace Marco Reus one on one. With Lukas Podolski, Andre Schuerrle, Mario Goetze, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil, Julian Draxler and Toni Kroos we have plenty of alternatives on that position. That's why we decided for a defensive option. Shkodran impressed us in the training camp, he is in shape and we know that we can rely on him."
The German team will leave for their camp at Porto Seguro in Brazil Saturday night from Frankfurt. Germany open their Group G campaign against Portugal in Salvador June 16.
