'It does not look good': Lennart Karl suffers injury in Germany training ahead of World Cup

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder was a surprise inclusion in Nagelsmann's chosen group following his rapid ascent this season with domestic double champions Bayern Munich, yet his involvement in the World Cup is now uncertain.

Nagelsmann said: 'Lenny was hurt today. We need to find out what the issue is. It does not look promising.' He spoke at a press conference prior to Saturday's friendly against the World Cup co-hosts.

He added: 'We are going to hospital to carry out scans calmly. Do not chase after him. Give him space. You will be informed of the news. He must process this himself.'

'First we require a diagnosis, and then we will update you on whether we can hopefully keep him or whether we need to call up a replacement.'

The four-time world champions are targeting the trophy following unexpected early exits in the previous two tournaments, in 2018 and 2022.

Germany have not secured major international triumph since claiming their most recent World Cup crown in Brazil in 2014.

They are in Group E and begin their campaign against Curacao on 14 June ahead of matches against the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.