Joachim Low insists Toni Kroos remains a 'very important' part of Germany's side despite injury

Joachim Low insists Toni Kroos remains a 'very important' part of Germany's side despite injury

Germany boss Joachim Low insists Toni Kroos remains an important part of his plans despite his omission from his latest squad due to injury.

The Real Madrid midfielder joined up with the national side at their headquarters in Dusseldorf earlier this week ahead of their triple header of 2022 World Cup qualifiers after initially being called up to the squad.

But the 31-year-old returned to the Spanish capital on Tuesday with an adductor injury, therefore missing the 3-0 win against Iceland on Thursday, and will now also sit out Sunday's fixture in Romania and the visit of North Macedonia on Wednesday.

Kroos faces competition for a starting place ahead of this summer's delayed Euros, with Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich particularly impressive in the midfield role against Iceland, while his club team-mate Leon Goretzka and Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan both scored in Duisburg.

But speaking after his side's win in the Group J encounter, Low insisted Kroos will still be included in his squad for this summer's European Championships provided he is available for selection.

'Toni Kroos should not be scared of losing his position in this team,' Low said in quotes carried by Spanish outlet MARCA. 'He is a world-class player and is very important for this team.

'We know we can lose players due to injuries but I am confident we will have everyone available in May because in the Euros we will need more than 11 starting players.'

A statement from the German FA earlier this week read: 'Toni Kroos is not available to the German national team for the three upcoming World Cup qualifiers on Thursday against Iceland, on Sunday in Romania and on March 31 against North Macedonia and will return to Spain.

'The Real Madrid midfielder had already come to the national team's quarters in Dusseldorf with adductor problems, which have proven to be so serious that they make it impossible for him to play.

'Our medical department has examined and treated Toni intensively,' Low added as part of the statement.

'He would have liked to have stayed with us, and I am reluctant to have to do without him. With a view to the European Championship in the summer, we have decided that a full recovery from this injury now has priority.'

Kroos has been a central figure in Germany's midfield during Low's 15-year tenure in charge of Die Mannschaft, and was part of their 2014 World Cup win in Brazil.

Should he be selected in Low's final 23-man squad this summer, he is likely to be the most-capped member in the travelling party, with 101 senior international caps since his debut in 2010.

Zinedine Zidane will be hoping to have the German available after the international break, with El Clasico sandwiched in between a Champions League double header against Liverpool following their first fixture back against Eibar.

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