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Austria's Baumgartner ruled out of World Cup due to injury, Alaba fit to travel

Austria midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will miss ⁠the World Cup
Austria midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will miss ⁠the World CupReuters / Karina Hessland

Austria midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will miss ⁠the World Cup after suffering a thigh muscle injury ‌during a pre-match warm-up, the country's football ‌association said on Tuesday, ‌leaving team officials scrambling for a ‌replacement.

The 26-year-old was injured while ‌preparing for Austria's friendly against Tunisia on Monday, with an ‌MRI examination confirming he cannot ⁠participate in ‌the tournament.

Baumgartner was in fine form ​for RB Leipzig this season, scoring 17 goals ​and grabbing nine assists.

"This is of course very bitter news for ⁠Christoph and ​for us as a team," coach Ralf Rangnick said in a statement.

"He is an important ‌player and a central personality within our team. Now our full support is for his recovery."

However, Austria received a boost with captain David Alaba cleared to travel after the 33-year-old was cleared of a muscle ‌injury having been substituted at ​halftime in the 1-0 win.

The ‌squad will travel on June 4th. Their first group match is against Jordan on June 16th, followed by games against ⁠defending ⁠champions Argentina and ‌Algeria.

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