Deisler injury blow

The German international midfielder suffered the injury in training only a fortnight after returning from a five-month absence.

Deisler had featured in Hertha Berlin's last two matches and was building up towards an international return in time for this summer's jamboree.

But his World Cup hopes could be dashed once the extent of the injury is determined, and with only eight weeks before the tournament's big kick-off, Deisler's chances of being involved are bleak.

The 22-year-old is an integral member of Rudi Voller's starting line-up and is one of a few German players with an ounce of creativity.

If he is ruled out of the competition, it would be a savage blow to Germany's prospects of regaining the trophy.

With Bayern Munich playmaker Mehmet Scholl also struggling for fitness, the German challenge for the World Cup could suffer from a lack of invention.