Germany's injury concerns increased Friday as midfielder Lars Bender has suffered a thigh injury that will see him miss next month's World Cup in Brazil. A statement from the squad said that the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder had to pull out of the squad.

"It's disappointing for everyone when a player has to pull out due to injury so close to the tournament," said coach Joachim Löw. Bender has featured regularly for Leverkusen this season and is also capable of playing at right back, as he has done before for Germany.

"I'm really sorry for Lars. I know that he really wanted to be there in Brazil. In terms of character and sporting ability, he's absolutely a role model," added Löw.

Germany are currently in South Tyrol for a training camp ahead of a friendly against Cameroon on June 1. The final 23-man squad will be picked on June 2. The three-time World Cup winners have been drawn in Group G along with Portugal, United States and Ghana.