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.

The news will be an unwelcome blow for new Germany coach Joachim Low who is taking charge of a competitive match for the first time.

He already has defensive problems with Per Mertesacker of Werder Bremen and Chelsea’s Robert Huth definitely out and Borussia Dortmund’s Christoph Metzelder a likely absentee.

Mertesacker had an operation on his heel after the World Cup and Metzelder has a knee problem. Both were first choice players in the back four during the World Cup.