FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Germany coach Joachim Loew has called up three players from the under-21 side for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against San Marino and the friendly against Italy.
While the three were promoted to the senior squad, some regulars were left out. Leroy Sane of Manchester City, Andre Schuerrle of Borussia Dortmund and Antonio Ruediger of Roma are recovering from injuries, while Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil was given time off. Sane has been called into the Under-21 squad.
Toni Kroos of Real Madrid and Sami Khedira of Juventus are likely to play only against San Marino next Friday. The friendly against Italy is on Nov. 15 in Milan.
The newcomers are defenders Benjamin Henrichs of Bayer Leverkusen and Yannick Gerhard of Wolfsburg, and attacking midfielder Serge Gnabry of Werder Bremen. Eight of the squad’s 25 players are 21 or younger.
Germany tops Group C with three wins from three qualifiers, while San Marino has lost all three.
Loew said Germany will not approach the match with arrogance but will take it seriously.
“We want a clear victory to confirm and extend our lead in the group,” Loew said.
Germany will seek to defend its World Cup title in Russia in 2018. Only group winners qualify directly.
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Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona).
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Yannick Gerhardt (Wolfsburg), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benjamin Henrichs (Bayer Leverkusen), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich(Bayern Munich), Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Serge Gnabry (Werder Bremen), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Kevin Volland (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund).
Forwards: Mario Gomez (Wolfsburg), Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund).
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