Nowotny to miss Germany’s Euro qualifier against Ireland

DEFENDER Jens Nowotny is out of Germany’s opening Euro 2008 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland next month.

The 32-year-old has a knee injury and has been advised to rest for six weeks, meaning he will miss the Group D tie against Steve Staunton’s side on September 2 and San Marino four days later.

The 45-times capped former Bayer Leverkusen centre-back, who signed for Dinamo Zagreb in the close season, was injured at the weekend. He has already had four knee operations in the past.