Traesch out of World Cup

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP): Germany back-up midfielder, Christian Traesch, will miss the World Cup after injuring his right ankle in a training game against a local selection in northern Italy in another blow for the three-time champions.

Germany has been hit by a series of injuries that have taken out captain Michael Ballack and designated number-one goalkeeper Rene Adler, among others, from the upcoming tournament in South Africa.

"Christian Traesch won't be available for the World Cup and we regret this very much," assistant coach Hans-Dieter Flick told a news conference yesterday at Germany's training camp in northern Italy.

Traesch twisted his ankle without contact with another player and will need at least a four-week rest.

Germany won 4-0 against a local selection from South Tirol, a German-speaking area in northern Italy. The game was played over two 30-minute halves on Monday.

Germany coach Joachim Loew now remains with two extra players in his squad who will have to be cut before the June 1 deadline. He also has to name his captain for the World Cup after Ballack's injury.

The seven players from Bayern Munich, which lost the Champions League final 2-0 against Inter Milan on Saturday, were joining the squad today and tomorrow.

Germany play in Hungary on Saturday and then host Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 3 in their last two warm-up games before travelling to the World Cup.