Kahn out of Germany squad for Italy game

Oliver Kahn has been forced out of Germany's squad to face Italy in a friendly on Wednesday because of a thigh injury. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper was hurt during the 1-1 draw with Hanover 96 last weekend and failed to recover in time for the Champions League match against Milan on Tuesday.

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said yesterday that Arsenal's Jens Lehmann would play in goal against Italy in Florence next week, with Kahn coming back to face the United States in Dortmund on March 22.

Timo Hildebrand of Stuttgart has been called up as Kahn's replacement against Italy but will have to be content with a place on the bench.

Klinsmann's original plan had been to play Kahn against Italy and Lehmann against the US in an effort to alternate the two goalkeepers ahead of the World Cup.

The coach has so far declined to nominate a first choice keeper for the World Cup.

Hosts Germany get the tournament underway with a Group A game against Costa Rica in Munich on June 9.

Klinsmann also said that Christian Woerns, 33, was no longer in contention for a spot in Germany's World Cup squad after the defender publicly criticised the coach for leaving him out of two friendlies next month.

"We were thoroughly surprised by his critical comments and we can't accept this kind of conduct," Klinsmann said.