Manuel Neuer Injury: Updates on Bayern Munich Star's Knee and Return

When Germany take on Spain in a marquee international friendly Tuesday, Die Mannschaft will have to go into battle without the man many consider to be the world's best goalkeeper.

According to the German national team's official Twitter account, World Cup-winning backstop Manuel Neuer will miss the contest due to a knee injury:

Although head coach Joachim Low is disappointed that his squad won't be at full strength, he very much believes in his alternative options, per German soccer's website.

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I would have liked to play with the best team possible against Spain but we didn't want to take any risks with Manuel. We have two excellent alternatives in the form of Roman Weidenfeller and Ron-Robert Zieler, who will have more than deserved an appearance against Spain. I know that I can completely rely on them both.

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It is unclear how long Neuer will be out of action, but club team Bayern Munich are hoping for a speedy recovery:

The 28-year-old 'keeper takes more punishment than most other players at his position due to his penchant for leaving the confines of the box and acting as an extra defender at times.

Perhaps his aggressive style has caught up with him to some degree, but fans of both the German national team and Bayern Munich are hopeful that his absence is merely precautionary.

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