Bayern Munich stars Manuel Neuer and Philipp Lahm both missed the start of Germany's World Cup training camp on Wednesday through injury, with with Neuer's pre-tournament preparations still uncertain.
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The duo picked up minor injuries during the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday, but Bayern announced on Monday that neither player was at risk for the World Cup, and both the club and the German FA (DFB) said the pair would travel to Italy for the start of the preparations on Wednesday.
"It is good and important that we will have them in South Tyrol from day one, in spite of them not being able to train at the beginning," Germany coach Joachim Loew said via the official DFB website.
However, kicker reported that they were not present as the squad flew out at Frankfurt airport and would instead remain in Munich with Bayern and Germany team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt.
It is unclear whether Bayern goalkeeper Neuer, who suffered a shoulder injury, will join Die Mannschaft during their 10 days in Italy. According to DFB spokesperson Jens Grittner, this decision will be made on a "daily basis". "But it is planned that he will join us in the training camp," Grittner told the wire DPA.
Germany captain Lahm will join the Germany team on Friday, Grittner confirmed.
Lahm later said on his Facebook page: "I will be at the training camp two days later. I will rest this week and spend time with my family. On Friday, I will start to prepare for the mission in Brazil with the team."
Lahm told Bild on Wednesday that he would be at "peak fitness" by the time the World Cup gets underway.