SCHLOT OF PROBLEMS Germany star ruled out of World Cup with ankle injury as he’s set to be replaced by ex-Chelsea ace

GERMANY defender Nico Schlotterbeck is out of the World Cup after picking up an ankle blow against Ivory Coast.

The Borussia Dortmund star, 26, went down in the first half after being challenged by Man United winger Amad Diallo. The Borussia Dortmund has torn a ligament in his ankle and faces several months outCredit: Getty

Schlotterbeck carried on until half-time but didn’t come out for the second half.

Manager Julian Nagelsmann replaced him with Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger for the rest of the game, which Germany won 2-1.

His boss gave a gloomy outlook for his condition after full-time.

Nagelsmann said: “It’s something with his ligament. It definitely doesn’t look good, unfortunately.” And it’s now been confirmed Schlotterbeck has torn a ligament in his ankle, which will rule him out for several months.

Schlotterbeck had started Germany’s first two group games against Curacao and Ivory Coast alongside Jonathan Tah.

But now ex-Chelsea star Rudiger looks set to replace him for the remainder of the tournament.

Germany aren’t allowed to call an extra player up now that the World Cup has begun. Teams are only allowed to bring in new players up to 24 hours before the first match, but Rudiger will step in as Germany’s next strongest defensive star.

Schlotterbeck has picked up 29 caps for Germany since making his debut in 2022.

He started his career at Freiburg in 2018 before joining current team Dortmund four years later.

Rudiger is one of Germany’s most experienced faces after playing 84 times for his country.

He has won two Champions League titles during his career and one league title with Real Madrid.

Germany currently top their World Cup Group E with six points from their first two games.

Their win over Ivory Coast confirmed their place in the knockouts after Deniz Undav’s second half brace helped them come from behind.

Their final group game will be against Ecuador on June 25, which could give Nagelsmann a chance to rotate with their progression already secure.