Former Bayern Munich manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has claimed that Germany will miss Bastian Schweinsteiger if he is ruled out of this summer's European Championships in France.
The midfielder suffered a medial ligament tear in his right knee during a training session with the German national team earlier this week.
There are fears that the Manchester United player, who recently spent two months on the sidelines with a similar knee injury, could miss Euro 2016.
Hitzfeld believes that losing Schweinsteiger would be a huge blow to Germany's chances in France.
"It would be sad for German football if he were out of the Euros because this tournament is still a great goal for him," Hitzfeld told Abendzeitung.
"That would be a big loss for the national team. Also, a human loss - for Bastian is the captain and holds the team together. He is still an absolute role model.
"If he should be fit for the European Championship, it will be an important component for Joachim Low, if Bastian can bring consistent performances. If he gets match practice and, therefore physically fit, he is still a highly intelligent player."
The Euros will get underway on June 10.
Danielle Joynson
