Loew picks Schweinsteiger for qualifiers; Kroos and Goetze return

August 30, 2013 03:29 pm | Updated 03:29 pm IST - Frankfurt

Bastian Schweinsteiger. File photo

Bastian Schweinsteiger. File photo

Bastian Schweinsteiger was picked on Friday despite an ankle scare, and Bayern Munich teammates Toni Kroos and Mario Goetze also return into the Germany squad for two World Cup qualifiers in which they can book the tickets to Brazil 2014.

Coach Joachim Loew nominated a squad of 24 players for the September 6 game in Munich against Austria and September 10 in Torshavn against the Faroes.

The influential Schweinsteiger has been struggling with various injuries and has played only three national team games since Euro 2012. He damaged his ankle in mid-week, but was possibly even set to play Friday night in Munich’s European Super Cup game against Chelsea.

Kroos and Goetze missed several Germany games with injuries as well, but now bolster the team’s strong midfield.

Loew also nominated forwards Max Kruse of Moenchengladbach and Sidney Sam of Leverkusen, who played well in their debuts during a June trip to the United States.

However, absent with injuries are Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Guendogan, SV Hamburg left back Marcell Jansen and Arsenal winger Lukas Podolski.

Germany hold a five-point lead in their qualifying group and can assure themselves of a place at the 2014 finals if all goes their way on September 10 and 14. The final two qualifiers are in October.

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