As Germany's under-21 team prepare for two more European Qualifiers, they have been handed a trio of injury blows.
On Tuesday, the DFB announced that Maximilian Arnold, Marc Stendera and Joshua Kimmich would be absent against the Faroe Islands and Russia.
As a result, Max Christiansen and Nadiem Amiri have been called up to the squad.
Problems for club and country
Given the form of all three midfielders this season and their importance to their club sides, it is an unnecessary worry for all concerned.
Kimmich has burst onto the scene since joining Bayern Munich this summer, and has played a key role in recent weeks after injury struck down their defence.
Eintracht Frankfurt's Stendera is well-known for his play-making abilities and helped Germany's under-19s to claim European glory in 2014.
As for Arnold, he has been rewarded with a new deal at VfL Wolfsburg. The central midfielder is one of the bright points of an otherwise topsy-turvy campaign.
Plenty of possible replacements
Even though they are three key players and are experienced through the German youth ranks, Horst Hrubesch possesses an embarrassment of riches in the area.
Along with Amiri and Christiansen, there is also Mahmoud Dahoud, Levin Öztunali, Leon Goretzka, Yannick Gerhardt and Julian Weigl in the squad.
For the duo that were called up and Dahoud, an appearance in either game would see them make their debut for the under-21s.
Concern for Werner
To add to the injury concerns, Hrubesch may also have to do without VfB Stuttgart forward Timo Werner.
He is currently battling illness with his Swabian side and may not be fit for either game.
Germany face the Faroe Islands on Thursday before taking on Russia the following Tuesday.