Torsten Frings has been ruled out of the first two games of the qualifying round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Frings called up coach Joachim Löw on Sunday evening to report that he was unable to compete. Germany play Liechtenstein on Saturday, September 6 in Vaduz and Finland on Wednesday, September 10 in Helsinki

The midfielder is out due to a nasal bone fracture which he suffered in a collision during a basketball game at a publicity event of his club Werder Bremen on the island Spiekeroog. Frings underwent surgery in a hospital in Bremen.

Still doubtful for the games is Michael Ballack. The German skipper still has problems with his foot and he missed the match of his club FC Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has praised Torsten Frings for his attitude on Thursday after the disappointed midfielder was not called up by Löw in the game against Turkey. He later came off the bench at the start of the second half to play a key part in the Euro 2008 semi-final victory over the battling Turks.

Read more about what Löw had to say about Frings.>>

Torsten Frings has recovered sufficiently from his fractured rib and could return to the Germany team to face Turkey in Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final. That is according to coach Joachim Löw, who said that the experienced midfielder trained on Monday. Frings trained with a protective bandage and reported no major problems, except for a nagging pain.

Frings, one of Germany's most experienced midfielders, broke his rib in the 1-0 win over Austria in their final group game. That put him out of the quarterfinal against Portugal. Thomas Hitzlsperger and Simon Rolfes stepped in with excellent performances in the centre of midfield. Löw could now be faced with a tricky decision whether to stick to the successful formation used against Portugal last week or to switch back to his old 4-4-2 system with Frings starting beside Ballack.