Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has been forced to withdraw from the Germany squad ahead of upcoming friendly fixtures against Japan and France due to injury.
The 20-year-old was initially selected in Hansi Flick's 24-man squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Japan in Wolfsburg and next Tuesday's encounter with France in Dortmund.
However, Germany have confirmed that Musiala will play no part in either fixture and has not travelled with the first-team squad to Wolfsburg after sustaining a back problem.
Musiala'a latest injury setback comes after the attacking midfielder was forced to miss Bayern's last two Bundesliga matches due to a hamstring issue.
The youngster is considered an integral part of Flick's side for both the present and future, and he has already made 23 international appearance since and including his debut in March 2021.
🚨 INJURY UPDATE
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 7, 2023
Jamal Musiala will be unavailable for the upcoming international fixtures against Japan and France due to back problems 😔
Get well soon, Jamal! 🖤❤️💛#dfbteam 📸 Getty Images pic.twitter.com/PFxYywSxYX
However, Musiala is the latest Germany player to enter the treatment room after Niclas Fullkrug sustained a "slight tendon strain" in training earlier this week.
The 30-year-old striker is considered a major doubt for Saturday's clash with Japan, and Bayern's Thomas Muller has since been called up to the senior squad for the first time in nine months to provide Flick with another attacking option.
In the absence of Musiala, the likes of Muller, Pascal Gross - who is hoping to earn his first international cap - Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz will all be in contention to start in the number 10 role, although the latter may start against Japan as a central striker.
Germany are seeking to end a disappointing four-game winless run with a victory against a Japan side who secured a famous 2-1 win over Die Mannschaft at the 2022 World Cup.
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