Kroos, Bender drop out of squad

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)

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Midfielders Toni Kroos of Bayern Munich and Sven Bender of Borussia Dortmund have dropped out of Germany's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan.

Kroos has an inflamed knee, while Bender is down with the flu. Twin brother Lars Bender of Bayer Leverkusen pulled out Saturday because of a heel injury.

Coach Joachim Loew has not decided whether to call up any replacement. Loew's squad is already missing attacking midfielder Marco Reus, who is suspended for the first game; central defenders Mats Hummels and Holger Badstuber, both injured, and striker Miroslav Klose, also injured.

Germany plays in Astana on Friday and in Nurnberg four days later.

Unbeaten Germany tops Group C with 10 points, ahead of Sweden with seven and Ireland with six.