Germans lose Kroos and Benders for Kazakh test

Germany will be without twins Lars and Sven Bender as well as Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos for their World Cup qualifying double header with Kazakhstan on March 22 and 26, the German Football Federation (DFB) said Monday.

Lars Bender of Bayer Leverkussen has an inflamed ankle while brother Sven of Borussia Dortmund has the flu, and Kroos has knee trouble.

The squad are set to fly from Frankfurt on Thursday for Astana.

Joachim Loew's side currently sit atop Group C with 10 points, three ahead of Sweden and four ahead of Ireland.