Spain's Martinez, Germany's Gomez out of World Cup qualifiers

Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez will be out for an indefinite period of time with an adductor muscle injury and will miss Spain's World Cup qualifiers this month, the club said on Tuesday. The 28-year-old defender, who had played in every competitive match for the German champions this season, was injured in their 1-1 Bundesliga draw against Cologne on Saturday. "He has been ruled out for the near future... and also called off his participation with the Spanish national team for their upcoming qualifiers in Italy and Albania," Bayern said in a statement. Spain, top of Group G on three points after one match, travel to Turin on Oct. 6 before taking on Albania in Shkoder three days later. Meanwhile, Germany striker Mario Gomez has been ruled out of World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland this month due to muscle stiffness, his club VfL Wolfsburg said on Tuesday. Gomez also missed their first qualifier in September after being injured during Euro 2016 in July. "He called off the trip with the Germany team due to muscle stiffness and will miss training for a few days," Wolfsburg said. It was not immediately clear if Germany coach Joachim Loew would replace him. The Germans, who won their Group C opener against Norway 3-0 in September, take on the Czech Republic in Hamburg on Oct. 8 before hosting Northern Ireland in Hanover three days later.