Mertesacker suffers bad break

Mertesacker only lasted 11 minutes of the 6-1 victory in Cologne after being caught by an elbow and, after having a gash under his eye stitched, he went to hospital for X-rays.

And those X-rays have revealed a break, with the 71-cap centre-half set to undergo further tests, although he will not need an operation.

It means he is a big doubt for Bremen's league clash with Bayern Munich this weekend.

A statement on Bremen's website read: "Mertesacker suffered a broken eye socket and a gash under his left eye in the German national team's 6-1 victory over Azerbaijan in the Euro 2012 qualifier in Cologne.

"Doctors said Mertesacker does not need an operation. As planned, the defender drove back to Bremen overnight on Tuesday. He will undergo further examinations on Wednesday."