How Germany could line up against Italy

Concluding a jam-packed fortnight of international action, Germany welcome League A Group 3 rivals Italy to Monchengladbach on Tuesday night, in the UEFA Nations League.

Die Mannschaft now have a handful of players missing from their original squad, after losing veteran forward Marco Reus to a muscular injury ahead of Saturday's trip to Budapest and Serge Gnabry to a calf problem.

In addition, centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck - soon to start life at new club Borussia Dortmund - must serve a suspension after successive yellow cards, so either Lukas Klostermann or Jonathan Tah are likely to come into the back three.

In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan will challenge Leon Goretzka to feature alongside Joshua Kimmich, who is set to earn his 68th international cap at the age of just 27.

Another Bayern Munich midfielder, Jamal Musiala, is hoping to hold onto a spot in support of the lone striker in Hansi Flick's 3-4-2-1 setup, with his chances boosted by Gnabry's probable absence.

However, clubmates Leroy Sane and Thomas Muller are strong contenders to return from the start, as a battle rages to lead the hosts' line at Borussia-Park.

Chelsea pair Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are poised to fight it out for a central attacking role, though neither has impressed so far this summer. Karim Adeyemi and Lukas Nmecha would offer wildcard options for Flick, but are both most likely to make an appearance from the bench.

Meanwhile, despite competition from the Leipzig duo of Klostermann and Benjamin Henrichs, Borussia Monchengladbach's Jonas Hofmann - who has netted three times in his last four Nationalelf appearances - should retain his place on the right flank at his club's home ground.

Germany possible starting lineup: Neuer; Klostermann, Sule, Rudiger; Hofmann, Kimmich, Gundogan, Raum; Sane, Muller; Werner

> Click here to see how Italy could line up for Tuesday's Nations League clash