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Striker Miroslav Klose will almost certainly miss Germany's next two World Cup qualifiers after injuring his right ankle playing for Bayern Munich.

Klose will need at least two weeks to recover from the injury he suffered during Saturday's league win against VfL Bochum.

Klose limped off in the 30th minute after stepping into a small hole on the pitch and will need an operation, leaving coach Juergen Klinsmann with only one fit striker in Lukas Podolski.

"This is a bitter diagnosis and, of course, a major setback," Klinsmann said.

Germany are at home to Liechtenstein in Leipzig on March 28 and away to Wales in Cardiff on April 1 in European Group Four.

Bayern have striker Luca Toni, playmaker Franck Ribery and midfielders Tim Borowski and Hamit Altintop on their injury list. Landon Donovan was not offered a contract and returned home to the US last week.

"This is a very difficult situation now," Klinsmann added.

"I have a good feeling that Toni may be fit for the next match."

Klinsmann will be hoping for the recovery of at least some of the injured players for the Champions League quarter-finals to be played on April 7/8 and 14/15.

Reuters