Germany's Schuerrle ill, to miss Ireland game

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany - The German Football Federation says forward Andre Schuerrle has the flu and will miss the European Championship qualifier against Ireland on Tuesday.

Schuerrle's absence reduces coach Joachim Loew's already limited options, especially in the attack. Many regulars are out with injuries or illness. Midfielder Christoph Kramer, another member of the World Cup-winning squad, dropped out with a stomach bug on Monday.

Germany is already missing midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Marco Reus, among others.

Germany is coming off a 2-0 loss in Poland and has three points from two games in Group D, which is led by Poland and Ireland.

Poland plays Scotland in Warsaw on Tuesday.