Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has been left out of the Germany squad to allow him to recover from a knee injury.
Ozil has managed only seven minutes in Arsenal’s last four games as he battles an inflamed knee and was left behind when Arsene Wenger’s squad travelled to Belarus to take on BATE Borisov in the Europa League.
The 28-year-old has not yet been ruled out of Sunday’s home game against Bournemouth and is believed to have returned to training this week.
However Germany boss Joachim Low is unwilling to gamble on the fitness of one of his most important players ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
“It’s unfortunate that a few of our most experienced players weren’t available for selection,” said Low.
“In the cases of Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira, I think that it will do them good in the long run to be rested throughout the international break. That’s the most important thing at the moment.
“It’s critical that they’re at full fitness for the next year.”
Germany top Group C and are already assured of a play-off place with two games remaining. A point away to Northern Ireland on Thursday will guarantee them qualification for Russia 2018.
