Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be suspended for Monday's decisive Euro 2008 Group B game against Austria, while top scorer Lukas Podolski is doubtful with an ankle injury.
UEFA handed Schweinsteiger a one-match ban after he was sent off for pushing Jerko Leko to the ground in Germany's 2-1 defeat by Croatia, a result that leaves them needing at least a draw against the co-hosts to reach the quarter-finals.
That punishment was to be expected but the injury to Podolski, who has scored all three of Germany's goals at the tournament, came as a nasty shock for coach Joachim Loew.
"Podolski has taken a knock on the ankle and could not train today," Loew said at a news conference on Friday. "We'll have to wait and see. We may be forced to make changes."
Loew also revealed that Philipp Lahm had suffered a calf injury but the player said at a news conference he would certainly be fit for the game against Austria in Vienna.
Fullback Marcell Jansen is also doubtful with a shoulder injury but that may be academic as he played poorly against Croatia and would be lucky to keep his place even if fit.
UEFA said in a statement that Schweinsteiger had been suspended for unsporting conduct.
{{/usCountry}}UEFA said in a statement that Schweinsteiger had been suspended for unsporting conduct.
{{/usCountry}}"The sending off was naturally very frustrating," Schweinsteiger told the German Football Association website (www.dfb.de) after receiving the first red card at these finals.
"But after the kick from behind I felt a stabbing pain in my already painful ankle and I reacted badly."
Loew said Schweinsteiger had made a mistake in being provoked into retaliation in the incident.
"It's a great pity that Bastian will be missing," Loew said. "Fortunately, it's only for one match ... but he has done us a disservice by getting sent off. I told the players not to get provoked or to react violently."