Defensive midfielder Svan Bender is rated as doubtful for Germany's World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on Friday with the hosts looking to book their Brazil 2014 berth.

Borussia Dortmund's Bender limped off in the second-half of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach, which saw his side lose top spot in the Bundesliga to European champions Bayern Munich.

Germany are five-points clear at the top of Group C with two games left and need just a point against Ireland in Cologne on Friday to claim their place at Brazil 2014.

But coach Joachim Loew is likely to be without Bender.

"Sven is black and blue, I must telephone Joachim Loew and see what he wants to do, then we'll see what happens after that," said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.

Germany centre-back Mats Hummels hindered his chances of returning to Loew's starting line-up by earning a red-card at 'Gladbach which turned the game against Dortmund.

The 24-year-old, who lost his place in Loew's side last month following below-par performances, recklessly brought down Gladbach's Norway midfielder Havard Nordtveit in the area with the game goalless nine minutes from time.

Germany striker Max Kruse netted the resulting penalty, then Brazilian Raffael added a second as Dortmund suffered their first league defeat of the season and lost top spot in the league.

To add to Dortmund's woes, Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin is likely to miss the next three weeks after tearing ligaments in his right ankle.