Loew names Germany squad for years final friendlies

Germany coach Joachim Loew has named his squad for the final two friendlies of the year, on Friday against the Ukraine in Kiew and then on November 15 against the Netherlands in Hamburg. Both matches continue to be part of the preparations for next years 2012 European Championships.

Loew has given his captain Philipp Lahm a break with Lahm having played nearly every match in the last few months for club and country. Also it gives Loew the chance to test others in the left-back position. Loew will also miss midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger due to injury and another Bayern Munich players in goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will get a break for the Ukraine match and returns against the Netherlands. Loew hasn't decided if Tim Wiese and Ron-Robert Zieler will get a chance to show themselves or only one of the two keepers.

Loew is taking the two international friendlies very seriously, so no experiments with the further squad as regulars find their names in the list of called-up players.


GERMANY

Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern München), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)

Defenders
Dennis Aogo (Hamburger SV), Holger Badstuber (FC Bayern München), Jérôme Boateng (FC Bayern München), Benedikt Höwedes (FC Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Per Mertesacker (FC Arsenal London), Christian Träsch (VfL Wolfsburg)

Midfielders Lars Bender (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (FC Bayern München), Thomas Müller (FC Bayern München), Mesut Özil (Real Madrid), Lukas Podolski (1. FC Köln), Marco Reus (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Simon Rolfes (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), André Schürrle (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)

Forwards
Mario Gomez (FC Bayern München), Miroslav Klose (Lazio Rom), Cacau (VfB Stuttgart)