Football: Germany coach Loew admits to Euro injury concerns

German national soccer team coach Joachim Loew arrives for the Laureus World Sports Awards 2016 in Berlin, on April 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

BERLIN (AFP) - 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.

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