Germany could be without Mesut Ozil for trip to Azerbaijan as Arsenal star continues to suffer from bad back despite returning to training
- Mesut Ozil is a doubt for Germany's game against Azerbaijan on Sunday
- The midfielder has been struggling with a bad back and missed training
- Arsenal star was unable to take part in the 1-0 friendly win over England
Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil is doubtful for Sunday's World Cup 2018 qualifier in Azerbaijan after receiving treatment for a back injury.
Ozil, who missed the world champions' 1-0 friendly win over England on Wednesday, skipped Friday's training session before the team headed for Baku but was present for Saturday's session.
And the Germans will wait until later on Saturday for a final decision, coach Joachim Low revealed.
Mesut Ozil (centre) is an injury doubt for Germany ahead of their trip to Azerbaijan on Sunday
Ozil trains alongside Arsenal and Germany team-mate Shkodran Mustafi in Baku on Saturday
'Yesterday Sami Khedira, Mario Gomez and Julian Draxler trained normally with no problems at all,' Low told reporters in Baku.
'Everyone trained apart from Mesut. He will have to wait until the last training (session). He had back problems and received treatment yesterday and today. We will train today and then decide.'
Low said he was planning to start with Benedikt Hoewedes as a partner to Mats Hummels in central defence, replacing Antonio Rudiger, who had started against England.
He also confirmed Khedira would be the team captain, in the absence of keeper Manuel Neuer.
Germany are five points clear at the top of World Cup qualifying Group C, having won all four of their matches so far.
'It is the first qualifier for some time and for us the aim is clearly defined,' said Low.
'We want to finish the qualifiers until the summer without losing a point. We play San Marino in June. So we have to get the three points here.'
Ozil was forced to watch the win over England from the stands because of a back injury
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