Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitch Langerak has been ruled out of Saturday’s DFB-Pokal final with a knee injury, according to boss Jurgen Klopp.
Langerak has played second fiddle to regular number one Roman Weidenfeller since his move from Melbourne victory in 2010 but he has been handed chances in the cup this season.
The Australia international has played three of the five games in the competition this term, missing out in the quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt as well as the semi-final with Wolfsburg.
Klopp said: “His knee has been slightly overstretched.
“There is a slight stretch. In the period from Tuesday evening until today (Friday) it has not been possible to get him fit for the final.
“He won’t need an operation. He will be out for two weeks.”
The 25-year-old has been named in Australia’s provisional World Cup squad and will now look to get himself fit in time to possibly travel to Brazil this summer.
Australia will hope that injuries do not hamper their chances at this summer’s showpiece as they are expected to struggle in what is a tough-looking Group B alongside Spain, Netherlands and Chile, with the Socceroos installed as 1.21 favourites to finish rock bottom.
Klopp also confirmed that Robert Lewandowski should be fit to play his final game for the club on Saturday after overcoming a fitness problem.
Lewandowski has already agreed terms to move to Bayern at the end of the campaign as his current deal with Dortmund expires.
Klopp continued: “We have been careful. As it stands he will train normally today and play tomorrow.”
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