Boateng's World cup Participation in jeopardy

Jerome Boateng could miss the World Cup for Germany after suffering a thigh injury in Bayern Munich's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, according to a report on Thursday. The world champions' goalkeeper Manuel Neuer meanwhile appears to be losing his battle to regain fitness in time for the finals in Russia, other reports said. Defensive lynchpin Boateng pulled up after a sprint in the first half of Wednesday's semifinal first leg and had to be helped off the field. According to Kicker magazine, he could be sidelined for four to six weeks.  Germany's first World Cup group match is on June 17 and head coach Joachim Loew will name his squad on May 15. Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes has already ruled Boateng out of the return leg of the semifinal in Madrid next Tuesday. "It's a muscular problem for Jerome, he will drop out," said the Bayern boss, who is also waiting on news of Arjen Robben, who was injured in the opening five minutes. Having last played for Germany in October 2016, Neuer only resumed training with Bayern last week after seven months out with a metatarsal fracture.