New York, June 22 -- Germany have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the FIFA World Cup knockout stages after defender Nico Schlotterbeck was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a serious ankle injury.

The German team centre-back sustained the injury during Germany's 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast, forcing head coach Julian Nagelsmann into an untimely defensive reshuffle at a crucial stage of the competition.

According to Goal.com, an MRI scan revealed medial ligament damage in Schlotterbeck's left ankle, an injury that typically requires around two months of recovery.

The defender initially received treatment and attempted to play on, but was unable to continue and was substituted at half-time after the full extent...