Nowotny out of World Cup

Germany's Jens Nowotny will miss the World Cup finals after a scan today confirmed he had torn knee ligaments.

The influential Bayer Leverkusen captain was taken off on a stretcher during the Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United on Tuesday.

Today's scan revealed a ligament damage in his right knee and he is expected to be out of action for six months.

German coach Rudi Voller said: "This is a serious loss for him but also for the national team.

Nowotny, 28, who has played 37 times for his country, is the second key player to drop out of Rudi Voller's squad after Bayern Munich midfielder Mehmet Scholl ruled himself out because of fitness concerns.

Germany are in Group E - Ireland's World Cup group - along with Saudi Arabia and Cameroon.