Neuer and Goretzka ruled out of Germany match against England

• The UEFA Nations League is scheduled to go on this weekend without the club football
• Germany are preparing to take on Hungary on Friday before playing England in a tough fixture
• Bayern Munich duo Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka have been rule out of both matches

Germany goalkeeper who couples up as the team’s captain Manuel Neuer will miss his nation’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Hungary and England after the Bayern Munich star tested positive for Covid-19.

Neuer’s Bayern Munich teammate Leon Goretzka has also returned a positive result on the virus and will also miss too, with the duo now isolating away from the rest of the squad.

The German Football Association (DFB) in a published statement seen by SportsLeo said: “Due to a positive coronavirus test within one of the players’ private circles, the medical team conducted a rapid antigen test on the whole nation team.

Leon Goretzka in a past match for the Germany national team. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

“All members of the coaching staff and the team are required to test negative before travelling. Confirmed contact of both players will be tested daily.”

Uncapped Hoffenheim shot-stopper Oliver Baumann has been added the squad to replace Neuer, although either Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen or Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp are more likely to deputise the captain against Hungary on Friday and then England a few days later.

Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen is likely to start for Germany against Hungary and England in place for Manuel Neuer. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

England too, have their own injury problems ahead of their Nations League double-header, with Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips – who has had limited gametime this season due to injuries forced to withdraw. He could require shoulder surgery, which would make him a serious doubt for the World Cup in Qatar later on this year.

However, that blow has been lessoned by Jordan Henderson’s unexpected recovery from the hamstring injury he sustained earlier this month.

The Liverpool skipper was initially thought to be facing a lengthy time at the touchline, but he has recovered in time to be added to Gareth Southgate’s squad for the matches against Italy and Germany.

England are currently bottom of their Nations League group and in urgent need of positive results to avoid being relegated from League A.