Lukas Podolski ruled out of Germany’s final two qualifiers

Lukas Podolski has been ruled out Thursday's Euro 2016 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin because of an ankle injury. The Galatasaray player will also miss the game at home to Georgia in Leipzig on Sunday.

The former Arsenal player joined up with the squad in Frankfurt on Monday but further tests showed an inflammation of the ankle that ruled him out.

Fellow midfielder Karim Bellarabi is also being treated for a shoulder injury but could still be fit in time for Thursday’s game.

The Germans have enough quality with Marco Reus, Mario Götze, Andre Schürrle and several others able to play in Podolski's position, but little time to prepare for the game on Thursday with the team having only one full training session with all the players present.

“We are a bit used to that,” said playmaker Ilkay Gündogan. “You still need a few days for everyone to reach the same level, for everyone to arrive. Someone played on Friday, others played on Sunday.

“It is a bit difficult to coordinate, but what matters is that everyone is at 100 percent when the game starts,” added the Dortmund midfielder.

Germany top their group on 19 points, two ahead of second-placed Poland and four ahead of Ireland, who are third on 15. A win or a draw would secure them a top two finish and qualification for France.

“I do not think that we will go out to play for just one point,” Gündogan said. “With our demands and our quality we want to win the game and do it as we did it in our (3-2) win against Scotland.”