Rau in race against time

Illness blow 
Late yesterday evening the 22-year-old, who has seven caps, was dealt another blow in his quest to make the Germany squad when he was admitted to hospital with an unknown viral infection. He will remain in the clinic until the weekend in order to determine the nature of the illness.

Qatar virus
Rau apparently picked up the virus when Bayern travelled to Qatar last week, where they played a friendly. He had to be substituted at half-time and has been complaining of feeling weak ever since.

Muscle tear
Since the winter break, Rau, who joined Bayern from VfL Wolfsburg last summer, has made just one competitive appearance due to a torn thigh muscle picked up in training. With VfB Stuttgart's Philipp Lahm staking a claim at left-back, Rau's chances of forcing his way into Germany coach Rudi Völler's plans could be receding.