Bastian Schweinsteiger to miss Germany friendlies

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger missed training with the German national team on Wednesday due to a knee problem.

A statement on www.dfb.de on Wednesday morning said the Germany captain had sustained the injury at the end of a session on Tuesday afternoon and was travelling to team doctor Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt’s practice in Munich to undergo an MRI scan.

Schweinsteiger, 31, returned to action for United earlier this month after 13 games out with a knee issue.

Wednesday's statement also said Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil was another to sit out the day's training session as Germany continued to prepare for Saturday's friendly clash with England in Berlin.

Ozil sustained a knock to his ankle in the Gunners’ 2-0 victory at Everton on Saturday.

Germany coach Joachim Low confirmed Schweinsteiger's injury later on Wednesday and ruled him out of both upcoming friendlies.

He said: “Bastian Schweinsteiger has injured his medial collateral ligament, and is unavailable for both England and Italy.”