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Germany wait on injured duo

18 Jun 2008 - 09:07:43

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Germany are sweating on the fitness of leading scorer Lukas Podolski and key midfielder Torsten Frings for Thursday's quarter-final against Portugal.

Podolski, who has scored three goals already in the tournament, is struggling to shake off a calf muscle injury sustained in the 1-0 victory over Austria on Monday nwhich confirmed Germany's qualification as Group B runners-up.

Meanwhile, X-rays have shown Frings sustained a fractured rib in the same game.

"There is a big question mark over Lukas and it's going to be tight for Thursday," admitted concerned coach Joachim Low.

"The medical department will do everything they can to get him fit but he had real problems in the second half against Austria."

Referring to Frings, he added: "We'll do everything possible to get him fit, but a decision on whether he can play will be made shortly before the game.

"As Frings is an important member of the team we'll exhaust every possibility to get him fit to play against Portugal.

"He'll receive intensive treatment over the coming hours. A decision will not be made until Thursday."