MANUEL NEUER WAS not deemed fit enough to be included in the Bayern Munich squad to face Hertha Berlin in the DFB-Pokal tonight as concerns grow over his availability to face Liverpool in less than two weeks’ time.

Bayern’s skipper missed the weekend defeat to Bayern Leverkusen because of a hand injury sustained in training, and though he travelled to the capital ahead of the cup clash, he was not included in the squad.

Sven Ulreich, who will start between the posts for Bayern in Neuer’s absence, said the club’s first-choice stopper had a thumb injury and reports have suggested that potential ligament damage could result in Neuer spending up to three months sidelined.

Neuer had remained in training but despite making the trip to Berlin, Bayern boss Niko Kovac elected not to risk him, with teenager Christian Fruchtl on the bench as back up to Ulreich.

A post on Bayern’s Twiter account said: “For Manuel Neuer the cup match against Hertha Berlin came a bit early.

“The captain had indeed traveled to Berlin. Niko Kovac, however, did not want to take any risk and therefore refrained from using the 32-year-old.”

The first leg of Bayern’s Champions League tie with Liverpool will take place on February 19 at Anfield, with the return leg at the Allianz Arena three weeks later.

It has already been confirmed that Thomas Muller will miss both matches after his two-match suspension was upheld by UEFA.

Muller was sent off for a foul on Nicolas Tagliafico during the 3-3 draw with Ajax in December.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will be without star defender Virgil van Dijk for the first leg after picking up three yellow cards in the group stages, resulting in a one-match ban.