Loew admits to Euro injury concerns

AFP, BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew admitted on Monday he is worried about the world champions’ lengthy injury list.
Just eight weeks from the start of the Euro 2016 tournament in France, Loew said he hopes to recover some crucial players.
“With Bastian Schweinsteiger, Julian Draxler, Emre Can, Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Hoewedes, that’s five players capable of playing an important role that are injured. I admit a certain concern,” Loew told Sky during the Laureas World Sports awards in Berlin.
“You always get such problems ahead of every tournament. In 2014, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger were injured but we managed it. But of course now I hope they’ll all stay fit and their injuries won’t return.”
Manchester United’s Schweinsteiger injured his knee on March 23 while training with the national team and his Euro participation is in doubt.
Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Draxler tore a muscle in his leg last week in the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid and may also miss the tournament.
Can hurt ankle ligaments in Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League last Thursday but centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Hoewedes are on their way back from injuries.
 Meanwhile, Germany international Emre Can has said he is confident of playing at the European championships in France for the world champions this summer despite tearing ankle ligaments.
The 22-year-old Liverpool midfielder is expected to miss between four to six weeks and there are just under eight weeks until Euro 2016 starts on June 10.
“It’s obviously a shock and bitter news for me,” Can told SID, an AFP subsidiary.
“But I am a fighter and will not let this get me down.
“I’ll give everything to be fit in time for the European championships and I am in good spirits. I’ll manage it.”
The midfielder has been used by Germany coach Joachim Loew as a right-back in recent internationals.
He suffered the injury to his right ankle in Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund last Thursday in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
His club coach Jurgen Klopp is cautiously optimistic Can will be fit to play in France.
“I can’t give an accurate forecast, but Emre wants to come back as soon as possible and we will try to get him back,” said Klopp.
Can says he wants to start Germany’s first group game on June 12 against Ukraine in Lille.
“If I can be at the European Championships, I won’t be going there just to sit on the bench,” he said, having won five caps.
“I’ll play anywhere: right-back, left-back, I’d even play up front or in goal if I had to. I don’t have any pretense.”

Loew admits to Euro injury concerns

AFP, BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew admitted on Monday he is worried about the world champions lengthy injury list. Just eight weeks from the start of the Euro 2016 tournament in France, Loew said he hopes to recover some crucial players. With Bastian Schweinsteiger, Julian Draxler, Emre Can, Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Hoewedes, thats five players capable of playing an important role that are injured. I admit a certain concern, Loew told Sky during the Laureas World Sports awards in Berlin. You always get such problems ahead of every tournament. In 2014, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger were injured but we managed it. But of course now I hope theyll all stay fit and their injuries wont return. Manchester Uniteds Schweinsteiger injured his knee on March 23 while training with the national team and his Euro participation is in doubt. Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Draxler tore a muscle in his leg last week in the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid and may also miss the tournament. Can hurt ankle ligaments in Liverpools 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League last Thursday but centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Hoewedes are on their way back from injuries. Meanwhile, Germany international Emre Can has said he is confident of playing at the European championships in France for the world champions this summer despite tearing ankle ligaments. The 22-year-old Liverpool midfielder is expected to miss between four to six weeks and there are just under eight weeks until Euro 2016 starts on June 10. Its obviously a shock and bitter news for me, Can told SID, an AFP subsidiary. But I am a fighter and will not let this get me down. Ill give everything to be fit in time for the European championships and I am in good spirits. Ill manage it. The midfielder has been used by Germany coach Joachim Loew as a right-back in recent internationals. He suffered the injury to his right ankle in Liverpools dramatic 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund last Thursday in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. His club coach Jurgen Klopp is cautiously optimistic Can will be fit to play in France. I cant give an accurate forecast, but Emre wants to come back as soon as possible and we will try to get him back, said Klopp. Can says he wants to start Germanys first group game on June 12 against Ukraine in Lille. If I can be at the European Championships, I wont be going there just to sit on the bench, he said, having won five caps. Ill play anywhere: right-back, left-back, Id even play up front or in goal if I had to. I dont have any pretense.