Goalkeeper Adler needs surgery on a broken rib, while midfielder Rolfes has admitted defeat in his battle for fitness following a knee operation meaning neither will be on the list when coach Joachim Low names his provisional squad on Thursday.

Rolfes, 28, had not played since going under the knife in January and his absence had been widely anticipated.

But the news regarding Adler is a bigger blow for Low after it had seemed he would be able to play through his injury.

The 25-year-old picked up the knock in the match against Stuttgart on April 17 and, after missing one Bundesliga game, returned to the side for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin.

Adler was in great discomfort, though, and took the decision today along with doctors to have surgery.

"This was the hardest decision of my life," Adler told www.dfb.de. "But it would have been ultimately irresponsible to my club and the national team to participate in the World Cup.

"The pain is so great that I wouldn't have been able to perform at my best in training or in games.

"After the game against Berlin, I had to realise that it makes no sense."

Adler had established himself as first choice, playing each of the last three qualifiers, following the death of Robert Enke.

His absence will likely leave Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer and Tim Wiese of Werder Bremen as first and second choice in what has been something of a problem position for Germany since the international retirement of Jens Lehmann in 2008.

Low said: "We are very sorry that Rene will now be operated on but it's necessary and therefore he's out of the World Cup.

"The coaching team will now discuss together another goalkeeper to travel to South Africa before the press conference on Thursday to announce the World Cup squad in Stuttgart."

Adler's announcement came just hours after it was confirmed Rolfes would not be going to South Africa.

The midfielder said: "I am very pleased with the healing process but it is now definitively clear that the World Cup finals for me make no sense.

"My plan is now to look to start the new Bundesliga season fully fit.

"Missing out on the World Cup is not easy.

"It only remains for me now to wish the team every success in South Africa."

Rolfes, who has 21 caps to his name, last played for Germany in the 1-0 win over Russia last October which booked their place at the finals.

Low said: "The decision by Simon is correct for the best possible recovery after surgery.

"We regret his absence, and hope he gets fit quickly."

Low also confirmed yesterday he would not be calling Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi into his squad.

Kuranyi has been ostracised by Low since storming away from the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund before the final whistle after being omitted from the matchday squad for the qualifier against Russia in October 2008.

His club form this season had led to calls for a U-turn from the coach, but Low yesterday confirmed he would be sticking to his guns.

Germany are in World Cup Group D alongside Australia, Ghana and Serbia.