Hummels to miss Germany-Sweden, confirms Low

Germany coach Joachim Low says that he will be without defender Mats Hummels for Saturday's World Cup game against Sweden.

Germany defender Mats Hummels will miss his side's World Cup clash with Sweden due to a neck injury, says coach Joachim Low.

Hummels was one of a number of players to criticise Germany's tactics after a 1-0 loss to Mexico in its Group F opener.

The Bayern Munich centre-back later said that talks in Germany's training camp had cleared the air ahead of facing Sweden in Sochi.

But, Hummels will not be available for the crucial clash, with Low having alternative options such as Antonio Rudiger in reserve.

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"Hummels won't be able to play tomorrow. He hurt his neck [vertebrae] yesterday and he hasn't improved today," Low told a news conference.

"He cannot train but there's still some time. When things like that happen, it doesn't improve overnight. We need players good in aerial play. I have an idea, a match plan for tomorrow. We will see what the final session yields."

Germany could be knocked out if it loses to Sweden depending on Mexico's result in its second pool match against South Korea.