Germany head coach Joachim Löw has chosen his 30 man provisional squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The 54 year-old will name his final 23 at the end of the month, but four or five players are expected to be cut after next week"s friendly with Poland.
Löw"s initial selection has some surprise inclusions, with a host of younger players preferred to more experienced options such as Mario Gómez, René Adler and Heiko Westermann.
Amongst the unexpected call ups are six uncapped players – Erik Durm, Shkodran Mustafi, André Hahn, Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka and Kevin Volland – but veteran Miroslav Klose is giving the chance to break Ronaldo’s all-time World Cup goals record. The 35 year-old is currently level with Gerd Müller on 14 – just one short of Ronaldo.
Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer [Bayern Munich], Roman Weidenfeller [Borussia Dortmund], Ron-Robert Zieler [Hannover 96].
Defenders: Jérôme Boateng [Bayern Munich], Erik Durm [Borrusia Dortmund], Kevin Großkreutz [Borussia Dortmund], Benedikt Höwedes [Schalke 04], Mats Hummels [Borussia Dortmund], Marcell Jansen [Hamburg], Philipp Lahm [Bayern Munich], Per Mertesacker [Arsenal], Shkodran Mustafi [Sampdoria], Marcel Schmelzer [Borussia Dortmund], Matthias Ginter [Freiburg].
Midfielders: Lars Bender [Bayer Leverkusen], Julian Draxler [Schalke 04], Mario Gotze [Bayern Munich], Leon Goretzka [Schalke 04], André Hahn [FC Augsburg], Sami Khedira [Real Madrid], Toni Kroos [Bayern Munich], Max Meyer [Schalke 04], Mesut Özil [Arsenal], Marco Reus [Borussia Dortmund], André Schürrle [Chelsea], Bastian Schweinsteiger [Bayern Munich].
Forwards: Miroslav Klose [Lazio], Kevin Volland [Hoffenheim], Lukas Podolski [Arsenal], Thomas Müller [Bayern Munich].
