Frankfurt, May 30: Striker Miroslav Klose will miss Germany's 2012 European Championship qualifiers against Austria and Azerbaijan because of bruised ribs.
Klose had severe pains Monday morning and that a scan determined he would not be able to train for several days, the German football federation (DFB) said. Germany plays Austria on June 3 and the Azeris four days later.
Klose was injured in Germany's 2-1 victory over Uruguay in a friendly on Sunday.
"It's regrettable that he will miss both matches. He was an important part of our plans for the attack, along with Mario Gomez," coach Joachim Loew said.
Klose came on as a substitute in the second half against Uruguay, while Gomez was in the starting lineup.
Loew usually has preferred Klose to Gomez, when he chooses to play one striker, as is most often the case. But Gomez topped the Bundesliga with 28 goals in the concluded season, while Klose, his Bayern Munich teammate, spent most of the time on the bench. Gomez scored one of Germany's goals against Uruguay.
Klose has scored 61 goals in 109 games for Germany. His eight goals in five qualifiers so far have helped Germany to a perfect 5-0 record in Group A.
The 32-year-old striker is uncertain about his future, since his current contract with Bayern is about to end and has not been extended. AP
