Dusseldorf - Didier Drogba has pulled out of the Ivory Coast team for Wednesday's match against Germany in Gelsenkirchen.

The 31-year-old striker and captain has not travelled with the team for the friendly international, team officials said Tuesday.

The Chelsea striker had missed Saturday's 3-0 win over Guinea in a World Cup qualifier with a rib injury.

Wednesday's match will be Germany's first since the death of goalkeeper Robert Enke.

Werder Bremen's Tim Wiese will start for Germany for the first time in goal, with Schalke's Manuel Neuer coming on for the second half at his home ground, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said in Dusseldorf.

Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm will captain the side in the absence of midfielder Michael Ballack who is nursing an injury to the back of the knee.

Players will wear black armbands and hold a minute's silence for Enke who took his own life last Tuesday. The goalkeeper's jersey will be placed on the German players' bench during the match. (dpa)