Germany continue their Nations League marathon at home to Serbia tonight but will have their task cut out without Nico Schlotterbeck, who has reportedly left the camp and returned to Dortmund.
The 26-year-old defender suffered a ligament damage to his ankle during a training session with the squad and was seen grimacing on the training ground in pain.
It's now been confirmed that he would miss their last two games of the international window, including the rematch with Greece in Thessaloniki, although he was left out of their matchday squad against the Hellic nation last Sunday too.
His latest injury scare is also a cause for concern for Borussia Dortmund, who could be without their star defender for the Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen on 9 October.
This marks his second knock in a space of just over three months as Schlotterbeck had suffered an ACL injury during the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Germany that sidelined him for three months.
He only resumed football about three weeks ago with an appearance in BVB's league match against Paderborn before starting their match against VfB Stuttgart a week later too.
Inbetween those games, Jurgen Klopp had announced his squad for Die Mannschaft and had picked him for the first two of their four matches during this extended international window.
German news organization Ruhr24 further reported that he was set to assume captaincy for Germany tonight against Serbia after Joshua Kimmich returned to Munich.
But his departure now leaves Klopp in a quandry for having to pick a new skipper for tonight's game.
On the bright side though, we get to see another Dortmund player in action for the first time this international break, as Waldemar Anton returns for the national team.
The BVB's stand-in captain was summoned as part of Klopp's second squad that will play in their Nations League games against Serbia in Munich tonight and Greece in Thessaloniki on 4 October.
Given his quality and experience, Anton is widely expected to slot right back into the starting lineup with Newcastle United's Malick Thiaw likely to partner him at the heart of their defense.
Schlotterbeck's injury also means Dortmund fans are robbed of the opportunity of seeing two of their key centre-backs lining up together with the German national team.
Anton, who has 15 caps with the side under his belt, can expect to have his hands full against a formidable Serbian attacking vanguard led by former Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic.
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