Germany boost as Adler to resume training

Bayer Leverkusen’s Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler looks set to go to the World Cup despite fracturing a rib, after saying on Friday that he will resume training next week.

“From a medical perspective, nothing’s preventing me from resuming training with my team-mates at the start of next week,” said Adler.

A date for Adler’s return to the first team has not been set but Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes believes he will play again before the end of the German season on May 8.

Adler, 25, hurt himself after colliding with an opponent during his side’s 2-1 Bundesliga defeat at Stuttgart last Saturday.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has already stated that Adler, who has nine international caps, will be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper at the June 11-July 11 World Cup.

His rivals for the number one shirt are expected to be Schalke’s Manuel Neuer and Tim Wiese of Werder Bremen.

Germany begin their World Cup preparations on May 12 and will travel to South Africa on June 6.

They have been drawn against Australia, Serbia and Ghana in Group D.