Germany opt for status quo

Germany coach Joachim Löw has few surprises in his squad for September's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and San Marino, although Michael Ballack and Christoph Metzelder are included despite injuries.

Important duo
After the hosts performed so well at the FIFA World Cup, Löw has named a tried-and-tested party to face the Republic of Ireland in Stuttgart on 2 September before travelling to Serravalle to play San Marino four days later. Despite being sidelined with a hip injury, Chelsea FC midfielder Ballack is expected to recover in time for both matches but question marks remain over Metzelder's fitness. "I had a chat with Christoph Metzelder and he said he will return to training next week," said Löw. "We have two games so maybe he can appear in the second."

Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal FC).

Defenders: Malik Fathi (Hertha BSC Berlin), Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC Berlin), Manuel Friedrich (1. FSV Mainz 05), Marcell Jansen (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München), Christoph Metzelder (BV Borussia Dortmund).

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea FC), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), David Odonkor (BV Borussia Dortmund), Bernd Schneider (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern München).

Forwards: Gerald Asamoah (FC Schalke 04), Mike Hanke (VfL Wolfsburg), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Oliver Neuville (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Lukas Podolski (FC Bayern München).