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Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been named in Germany’s Euro 2016 squad along with Arsenal star Mesut Ozil.
Schweinsteiger has made just 18 appearances since moving to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich last summer having picked up a knee injury in March but has been picked as part of the world champions’ provisional squad of 21.
Germany manager Joachim Loew is giving his captain every chance to prove his fitness for the European Championship despite his fitness problem.
The 31-year-old, hasn’t played since a partial ligament tear in national team training on March 22.
Ozil, meanwhile, who amassed 19 assists for the Gunners this season has been named in the 27-man squad along with Liverpool’s Emre Can.
There was some surprises in Low’s selection for the tournament in France, with Julian Weigl of Borussia Dortmund, Leroy Sane of Schalke and Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich all called up.
The young midfielders have all been rewarded with their first Germany call-ups after breakthrough seasons with their respective clubs.
‘We’re fully convinced of each one. I’ve no tendency toward striking anyone out,’ Loew said at the presentation at the French embassy in Berlin.
Despite an underwhelming season at Galatasaray, Lukas Podolski has been initially picked for what could be his seventh consecutive tournament. The 30-year-old has 127 caps for Germany.
Besiktas forward Mario Gomez is back in the squad after missing out on Germany’s World Cup win in 2014.
‘Besides the sporting worth, the personality of the players is important,’ Loew said. ‘It’s something special at a tournament, it’s about more than just playing football, it’s about the team. This has helped us before, when players drop out, Ilkay Gundogan for example, that they can be replaced. The collective is more important than the individual player.’
Gundogan, a Borussia Dortmund midfielder, is out with a knee injury, while Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Christoph Kramer missed out after a poor season. Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose all retired after Germany’s World Cup win in 2014.
Germany fly to Ascona, Switzerland, for a training camp on May 24 before friendlies against Slovakia in Augsburg on May 29 and Hungary in Gelsenkirchen on June 4.
The squad leaves for its tournament base in Evian-les-Bains on June 7 before their first game against Ukraine in Lille on June 12.
GERMANY EURO 2016 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Neuer, Leno, Ter Stegen
Defenders: Boateng, Can, Hector, Howedes, Hummels, Mustafi, Rudy, Rudiger
Midfielders: Bellarabi, Brandt, Draxler, Gotze, Gomez, Khedira, Kimmich, Kroos, Muller, Ozil, Schweinsteiger, Weigl
Forwards: Muller, Podolski, Reus, Sane, Schurrle
