Adler earns first Germany call-up for two years
Reuters - Friday 09 November 2012, 11:13
Hamburg SV goalkeeper Rene Adler has been called up for Germany duty two
years after his last appearance for a friendly against
Netherlands next week, coach Joachim Low said on Friday.
Adler
was going to be the first choice at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
before a rib injury ruled him out of the tournament and installed Bayern
Munich's Manuel Neuer as the first pick, a position he has held ever
since.
Adler, who has won 10 caps, last played for Germany on November 17, 2010, in a friendly against Sweden.
"I
am delighted that Rene has found his old form after his long injury,"
said Low. "He should now also get a chance to present himself on an
international level."
A
string of injuries led to the former Bayer Leverkusen keeper missing
much of last season before a transfer to the northern club and a return
to fitness allowed him to enjoy a superb start to the current campaign.
Talented
keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was not included but Low said he, and the
suspended Ron-Robert Zieler, were still very much part of the team.
"This
is a decision for Rene Adler and not against Marc-Andre ter Stegen and
Ron-Robert Zieler, who of course will remain in focus," Low said.
Low
nominated 22 players for the side's last international match of the
year in Amsterdam on Wednesday, including midfielder Roman Neustadter
of Schalke 04.
The Germans will be without central defender Holger Badstuber and holding midfielder Sami Khedira, who are both injured.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, Rene Adler (Hamburg SV).
Defenders:
Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke 04), Mats
Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund),
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Heiko
Westermann (Hamburg SV).
Midfielders:
Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Mario Gotze
(Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund), Bastian
Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Toni
Kroos (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Roman Neustadter
(Schalke 04), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Bayer
Leverkusen), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid);
Striker: Miroslav Klose (Lazio).