Germany captain Manuel Neuer ruled out of World Cup qualifier

Manuel Neuer (Photo: AFP)


Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was on Monday ruled out of the 2018 football World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku on Sunday due to calf injury.

The 'World Goalkeeper of the Year' will also miss Wednesday's friendly match against England in Dortmund, the Germany football federation, DFB announced.

"The 30-year-old goalkeeper will be treated for calf problems at his club FC Bayern Münich," the official statement said.

Uncapped Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was named as a replacement for Neuer.

"After consultation with goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke, head coach Joachim Löw has decided to call up Kevin Trapp as Neuer's replacement. The PSG keeper has featured in the senior squad before, but is yet to win a Germany cap. Trapp, who played 11 times at Under-21 level, will join up with the squad on Monday in Kamen close to Dortmund," it added.