The Republic of Ireland will not have to contend with the defensive prowess of Bayer Levekusen’s Jens Nowotny in this summer’s World Cup finals.
The German defender, who would have lined out against Ireland in the Group E tie on June 5th, will miss the tournament after a scan confirmed he had torn knee ligaments.
Bayer Leverkusen captain Nowotny was stretchered off during the Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United in the BayArena on Tuesday night.
The scan revealed a tear to ligaments in his right knee, an injury that will sideline him for up to six months, said the Leverkusen club doctor.
Nowotny (28) is the second key player to drop out of Rudi Voller's squad after Bayern Munich midfielder Mehmet Scholl ruled himself out because of fitness concerns.