Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender has been ruled out Germany's World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria because of injury.
Bender complained of muscle tightness in his stomach and back during the weekend's 2-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, a problem that is expected to keep him sidelined for around 10 days.
Germany coach Joachim Low has yet to call up a replacement for the 24-year-old, who is a regular for his country.
Losing Bender is the latest injury blow for Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, who is already without a string of key players including Ilkay Gundogan, Lukasz Piszczek and Sebastian Kehl.
Dortmund slipped up for the first time this season at Gladbach on Saturday, with Mats Hummels sent off late on in their defeat at Borussia Park.
