Germany's injury problems: who is out and who is in?

Khedira established himself as Germany's key holding midfielder during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That the Real Madrid man would continue his role at Brazil 2014 was a given for most Germany fans, until injury struck. The ruptured knee ligaments he suffered in the friendly against Italy on November 15 will sideline him for six months, leaving his World Cup spot in doubt.

Khedira's central midfield partner for Germany, Bastian Schweinsteiger, has struggled with injury the entire season. He recently underwent a second surgery on his ankle that will keep him out until early 2014. Should everything go smoothly, he will be back in plenty of time for the World Cup, but his continued fight for fitness has left some people doubting his durability.

It feels like ages since fans have seen Ilkay Gündogan in a Germany shirt. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder last played for the national team in an August friendly against Paraguay, where he went off with a back injury before the half hour mark. Were he fit, he would be an excellent candidate to replace Schweinsteiger as the deep-lying playmaker in Germany's midfield.

Badstuber was a first-choice member of Germany's defensive line at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, but the 24-year-old hasn't played since tearing knee ligaments nearly a year ago. He recently underwent a fourth knee operation, pushing back an already-delayed return to the pitch. Nonetheless, there is talk he could be back fit in time to earn a spot in the Brazil squad.

Podolski has been out with a hamstring injury since August and has yet to play with new Arsenal teammate Mesut Özil in the Premier League. The 28-year-old has found himself increasingly pushed to the periphery as Germany's crop of young wing talent continues to grow. While he should be healthy in plenty of time for the World Cup, he is up against stiff competition for a regular role in the team.

The pair have been fighting for the sole starting forward spot in coach Löw's lineup for a number years, but injury has kept either of them from having it firmly nailed down at the moment. At 35, Klose has fought an off-and-off battle with fitness all year, while Gomez struggled to stay healthy since moving to Fiorentina in the offseason.

Benefitting from Klose and Gomez' absence is Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Max Kruse. The 25-year-old debuted for Germany in a friendly against Ecuador last May after a red-hot season for Freiburg. He has continued that form at his new club, with seven goals from 12 games this campaign and is steadily playing his way into the 23-man team for Brazil 2014.

The Brothers Bender are both able replacements for Khedira at the defensive midfielder spot. Lars, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, deputized at right back during Euro 2012 and has generally been more of a squad-regular for Germany than his brother, who plays for Borussia Dortmund. No doubt Germany's remaining fixtures before the World Cup will give them both the chance to earn a first-team spot.

With Germany's central midfield duo injured, Lahm has the chance to emulate his recent transition at Bayern Munich from defender to holding midfielder on the international level. He played their for just the third time against Italy, but he may be called upon to make the position his own for the World Cup. Could Lahm soon become Germany's best left back, right back and holding midfielder?

Unlike many of the other players who have recently gotten their chance under Löw, it wasn't an injury that got Weidenfeller into the Germany squad. It was strong play and strong play alone that earned the Borussia Dortmund keeper his first national team call-up at age 33. With Manuel Neuer's starting spot essentially set in stone, he will be competing for Germany's back-up position in Brazil.