Joachim Löw has been dealt an early blow to preparations for the World Cup warmup in Russia. Leroy Sané, who made a big-money move to the Premier League from Schalke last season, had been a big part of Germany’s plans.The Manchester City attacking midfielder will miss this summer’s tournament, which takes place in Russia between June 17 and July 2. National team coach Joachim Löw included Leroy Sané in the 23-man squad that he named for the Confederations Cup just last week. However, the 21-year-old, who has made six appearances for the national team has decided to use the summer break to recover from a scheduled nasal operation.
“I would really like to have been in Russia,” Sane told the German FA’s (DFB) website. “I have decided, after a conversation with my doctor, to use the summer break for this operation, so that I can start the new season without any discomfort.”
Following his 50-million-euro ($56 million) move from Schalke, Sané slowly began to adjust to the style of the Premier League and has scored a handful of important goals for Pep Guardiola’s team, particularly against Arsenal and Tottenham.
However, Sané still hasn’t established himself in the men’s national team, and has missed most of the World Cup qualifying campaign due to his commitments with the under-21 side.
Ajax’s Amin Younes was one of six new players included in Löw’s squad and the 23-year-old left-sided winger should be an adequate replacement for the Manchester City star.
Coach Löw has until June 7 to make any fresh call-ups to his squad, which is to face Australia, Chile and Cameroon in Group B of the Confed Cup.
rd/pfd (Reuters, AP)
