Worns withdraws from German squad
GERMANY have been rocked by the news that defender Christian Worns has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury.
Worns was battling back to fitness, but coach Rudi Voller has decided that the player is too much of a risk.
Worns's place in the German squad will be taken by Werder Bremen star Frank Baumann.
Voller has lost two experienced defenders now, with Worns joining Beyer Leverkusen's Jens Nowotny in withdrawing.
Germany begin their final warm up preparations with a game against Austria before they take the lengthy trip to Japan.
Worns plays his club football for Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund, and has been a model of consistency this season.
