EURO 2024: Musiala, de Jong, Rashford, others injured

Nigeria born German star Jamal Musiala, who has impressed for Bayern Munich this season, is set to be out for weeks after suffering a hamstring strain. 

The German side’s hopes of retaining the title were struck a blow on Sunday as they lost 2-1 against a Bayer Leverkusen.

There is now concern that Bayern may be without one of their star performers this season as they look to retain the German title and progress past Manchester City in the Champions League.

Musiala has been one of the Bavarian side’s key players with 15 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

Since the loss of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona last summer, Musiala has shouldered some of the Pole’s goal-scoring responsibilities and is currently the club’s top scorer in the Bundesliga.

That defeat to Leverkusen meant that Bayern go into the international break in second place, one point behind new leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Germany face Peru and Belgium in internal friendlies, but their young star will not be available for either match.

Germany’s head coach Hansi Flick revealed on Monday that Musiala has withdrawn from the squad due to the hamstring injury.

“We all hoped that Jamal would be fit, because he has unique qualities,” Flick said.

“That’s why it’s a shame for everyone that he won’t be with us. We hope he is fit again as soon as possible and that he is back playing after the international matches.”

The full extent of Musiala’s hamstring injury is still unknown, but Bayern will be desperate to get the 20-year-old back in contention for a crucial string of games.

A mild hamstring strain can heal within a couple of weeks, but anything more severe can lead to months on the sidelines.

Elsewhere, Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong will not join up the Netherlands squad for their Euro 2024 qualifier double header this month.

De Jong was named in Ronald Koeman’s first Dutch squad, since returning to the role after the 2022 World Cup, but he will now remain in Spain to work on his recovery.

Former La Blaugrana head coach Koema confirmed de Jong suffered a late injury in Barcelona’s 2-1 El Clasico win over Real Madrid last weekend with an MRI scan confirming a hamstring injury.

Reports from Dutch outlet De Teleggraaf hint at a two week absence for de Jong, which would see him miss Barcelona’s first game back after the break, at Elche, and potentially their Copa del Rey semi final second leg against Los Blancos on April 5.

Koeman faces a tough start on his second stint in charge of the Dutch team, facing beaten World Cup finalists France on March 24, before travelling to Gibraltar on March 27.

Also, three England stars have pulled out of the squad ahead of Thursday's trip to Italy.

Gareth Southgate named a 25-man squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers last week, including the likes of Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker.

They are  Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope.

Goalkeeper Pope managed to get through 90 minutes for Newcastle at Nottingham Forest on Friday but has been nursing a minor injury.

So he has been replaced by Tottenham stopper Fraser Forster to join Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale. However, no one has come in for Rashford or Mount.

The Manchester United striker withdrew from the squad after picking up a knock in Sunday's FA Cup win over Fulham on Sunday.

And the news is a blow for Southgate because Rashford, 25, has been in terrific form since the World Cup, scoring 19 goals in 25 games.

Another injury is also a frustration because over the last three seasons, he has pulled out from a number of internationals with injuries.