Berlin  - Defender Arne Friedrich has been forced to withdraw from the Germany squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales.

Hertha Berlin captain Friedrich ruptured a muscle fiber during his side's 2-0 defeat at VfB Stuttgart on Saturday and will be out of action for two weeks.

Earlier Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings withdrew from the squad, leaving Germany coach Joachim Loew with just 21 players. dpa