Nagelsmann supports Woltemade to excel for Germany facing injuries

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann expressed confidence in Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade on Thursday to spearhead the attack for his squad plagued by injuries during their bid for 2026 World Cup qualification.

The team will travel to face Luxembourg on Friday prior to hosting Slovakia at home on Monday, where the second game could well decide direct qualification for the finals.

At 23 years old, Woltemade has featured in just six internationals for Germany since his initial appearance in June. He netted the decisive goal in October's narrow 1-0 triumph against Northern Ireland, marking his debut international strike.

"At this moment he is crucial for us due to several absences from injuries up front, and given his excellent abilities," Nagelsmann commented.

"He is in great demand right now as he performs strongly, contributes effectively in pressing, retains possession well, and finds the net."

The towering 1.98 metre Woltemade adapted swiftly in England following his summer transfer to Newcastle, managing goals in four of his opening five Premier League outings.

"He has already notched multiple goals. The supporters adore him. He has settled nicely in the city," Nagelsmann added.

"The current circumstances suit Nick perfectly, and they benefit us as well."

Skipper Joshua Kimmich sustained an ankle knock on Thursday, ruling him out of the Luxembourg encounter and adding to Nagelsmann's extensive list of sidelined players.

Bayern Munich's central defender Jonathan Tah steps up to lead the side in Kimmich's place.

Injuries also sideline Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Nico Schlotterbeck, Antonio Rudiger, Niclas Fuellkrug, and Tim Kleindienst, while Karim Adeyemi sits out Friday's fixture due to accumulated bookings.

Following an unexpected 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava during their September opener, Germany has regained form with three successive victories.

In their World Cup qualifying group, Germany matches Slovakia's points total in second position yet leads on goal difference.

Slovakia welcomes Northern Ireland on Friday before heading to Leipzig for the Monday clash with Germany, a fixture set to determine the Group A summit.

Irrespective of outcomes on Friday, neither Germany nor Slovakia can secure qualification before Monday's showdown.

Solely the group winner earns automatic passage to next year's tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Luxembourg remains winless after four defeats in World Cup qualifiers, notably a 4-0 drubbing by Germany in October.

Germany, with four previous triumphs, holds a perfect record of always reaching the World Cup throughout its history.