Germany are expected to be without Lukas Podolski for the 29 February friendly against fellow UEFA EURO 2012 finalists France in Bremen, after the 1. FC Köln forward suffered a left ankle injury.

Scans have shown that the 26-year-old partially tore ankle ligaments during Saturday's 4-1 Bundesliga home defeat by UEFA Europa League hopefuls FC Schalke 04. "It doesn't look good," said Podolski, who is likely to be sidelined for at least four weeks.

Podolski, who has scored 43 times in 95 internationals, has been in impressive form for Köln this season with 15 top-flight goals. Bayer 04 Leverkusen's André Schürrle is tipped to take his place on Germany's left flank.