Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has withdrawn from the Germany squad for their final two international games of 2016 due to ongoing knee and hamstring problems.
Boateng, 28, was substituted in the final minutes of Bayern's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim at the weekend, and an hour after the final whistle also withdrew from the Germany squad.
"I've been nursing minor knee and hamstring problems for the past 10 days," Boateng told Bild. "I was only able to play against Hoffenheim with painkillers. I also had muscle problems, and that's why I was subbed off.
"It's never easy to cancel on Joachim Low because every international is an honour. But I could not risk a longer lay-off."
Boateng already spent several months on the sidelines with two major muscle injuries in 2016, and Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told kicker that the club's medical department made the decision that because of the new problems "it makes no sense to travel to the national team under these premises."
Boateng told Bild he is set for another examination by Germany team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt on Monday.
Low has decided to not replace Boateng for the World Cup qualifier at San Marino and the friendly against Italy.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich travel to Borussia Dortmund on Nov. 19 following the international break.