Thaindian News

Frankfurt, Sep 21 (DPA) Germany coach Joachim Loew decided Monday against selecting goalkeeper Robert Enke for next month’s key World Cup qualifiers.
Loew said Enke, who is recovering from a bacterial infection, would not be fully fit for the matches against Russia in Moscow and Finland in Hamburg.

“On arrangement with his doctors Robert will only be able to take part in light training in the next two weeks and has to take antibiotics,” Loew said.

“That means for us that he won’t be fully fit for the internationals in October and therefore cannot be selected.

“We are pleased that there has been a diagnosis for his health problems and that Robert is on the best road to recovery.”

The 32-year-old Hanover keeper was Friday diagnosed with a stomach infection which will sideline him for a further two weeks.

He had been feeling unwell for more than two weeks and pulled out of the September 9 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Hanover, when Bayer Leverkusen’s Rene Adler took his place.

A series of tests had initially failed to find the cause of Enke’s illness.

“The time of uncertainty was very nerve-wracking,” Enke said last week.

“I hope following this diagnosis that I will be fit again soon and can return to team training.”

Germany lead Group 4 on 22 points, one ahead of Russia before their meeting in Moscow on October 10. The Germans take on Finland, who can no longer qualify, four days later in their final group match.