Germany`s Manuel Neuer ruled out of Australia clash

Berlin: Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been ruled out of the world champions` friendly against Australia on Wednesday with a knee injury, coach Joachim Loew has confirmed.

Loew said the 28-year-old, voted the best goalkeeper at last year`s World Cup, will sit out the match at Kaiserslautern`s Fritz Walter Stadion with a light infection of the meniscus in his knee as a `precautionary measure`.

His place will go to either Borussia Dortmund`s Roman Weidenfeller or Hanover`s Ron-Robert Zieler, but Neuer`s injury boosts Australia`s hopes of pulling off another upset after their 2-1 win in 2011, which was the Socceroos first win over Germany at the fourth attempt.

The Bayern Munich shot-stopper is expected to play in Sunday`s Euro 2016 qualifier away to Georgia, with Germany joining second in their group behind leaders Poland and level with Ireland and Scotland.

"We have decided that Manuel won`t play on Wednesday, he has a light infection which will get better quickly with rest and we didn`t want to risk him," explained Loew.

"We haven`t decided who will replace him against Australia, but there is no risk against Georgia.

"We wanted to give him the time to recover so that he will be fit."