Soccer

Schweinsteiger named in Germany squad despite ankle injury

Midfielder among 24-man squad for games against Austria and the Faroe Islands

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been named in the Germany squad for the games against Austria and the Faroe Islands. Photograph: Ralph Orlowski/Reuters
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been named in the Germany squad for the games against Austria and the Faroe Islands. Photograph: Ralph Orlowski/Reuters
Fri Aug 30 2013 - 11:53

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has shaken off a minor ankle injury and has been included in the 24-man Germany squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Austria and the Faroe Islands.

Schweinsteiger, who needed foot surgery at the end of Bayern Munich’s treble-winning campaign last season, missed most of his side’s pre-season preparations and has yet to hit top form.

He also picked up an ankle injury in Tuesday’s 1-1 league draw at Freiburg but the knock turned out to be less severe than initially feared.

Coach Joachim Loew also included Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Sidney Sam and forward Max Kruse, who were part of a US tour in May and June.

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However, Sam's club team-mate and last season's Bundesliga top scorer Stefan Kiessling, who already has two league goals in three games this campaign, was once again overlooked by Loew.

Kiessling, who last played for Germany in 2010, said this week he was not expecting to play again under Loew after being snubbed for years.

Loew will also be without injured Lukas Podolski and Ilkay Guendogan.

“We are top of our group and have a good lead but we have not yet qualified,” Loew told reporters. “Our aim is clear and that is to take the next big step with two wins in the two games.”

After six rounds, Germany top Group C on 16 points, ahead of Austria, Sweden and the Republic Ireland, who are separated by goal difference on 11 points each. Kazakhstan have a single point and the Faroe Islands have lost all of their matches to date.

Germany host Austria in Munich on September 6th followed by the away tie against the Faroe Islands on September 10th.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Rene Adler (Hamburg SV), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanover 96).

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund).

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund), Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich) Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Sidney Sam (Bayer Leverkusen), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Mario Gomez (Fiorentina), Max Kruse (Borussia Moenchengladbach).