Lars Bender pulls out of Germany squad

Germany midfielder Lars Bender will miss the World Cup after withdrawing from their squad with a thigh injury he sustained in training. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder had been with Joachim Löw's team in Italy as they carry out preparations for next month's tournament in Brazil, though has now withdrawn and not been replaced.

It's another injury disappointment for a team that is already not at full strength. Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has only just recovered from his long-term injury layoff, Lazio striker Miroslav Klose may not be fit enough to make the tournament, while knocks to Bayern Munich duo Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer mean they haven't yet joined up with their international teammates. Hardly ideal preparation.

The good news is that Germany should still have more than enough quality to be a serious force when it finally all comes together. Assuming Khedira does get himself back to somewhere near reasonable shape, he'll be fighting alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos for a spot in the midfield pivot. While they're all slightly more mobile players than Bender, who's pretty much a pure destroyer, they've still got more than enough top talent.