Neuer declares himself fit again for World Cup but doesn’t know squad
GERMANY captain Manuel Neuer has revealed he doesn’t know the full World Cup squad yet but has declared himself fully fit for the tournament in Qatar - which forward Lukas Nmecha will definitely miss.
Wolfsburg forward Nmecha suffered a patellar tendon injury in his right knee in Tuesday’s game against Borussia Dortmund and will be sidelined for several weeks, the Bundesliga club said.
Nmecha had been among the candidates to make the 26-player squad to be announced by coach Hansi Flick on Thursday but his chances had dropped owing to good form of Borussia Dortmund teenager Youssoufa Moukoko and Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug.
Moukoko and Füllkrug appear to be hot candidates to make the cut and be at the November 20-December 18 tournament in Qatar but Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer said not even he as team captain knows the full squad yet.
“The coach and I haven’t talked about the complete squad yet but there was certainly an exchange,” Neuer said.
Neuer, 36, will be competing at his fourth World Cup having only made his comeback last weekend from a shoulder injury that had seen him miss seven games.
“I am playing again. I know that everything is working well. I have no problems. I am very confident regarding the World Cup and I am looking forward to the upcoming games,” said Neuer, who has played two games over the past days and has another one Saturday at Schalke.
Neuer also said the squad would pay tribute to RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner who is out of Qatar with injury.
“I expect us to do something together for Timo. It is very bitter, especially for him,” Neuer said.
“We want to be flexible in attack. Timo is an important player who has the speed and can run away from someone in the penalty area. That is also crucial for us. He will surely be missed.”
Germany play a tune-up match in Oman on November 16 and start the World Cup seven days later against Japan, with Spain and Costa Rica their other opponents in the group stage.