Klinsmann recalls Nowotny for World Cup squad

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann included Jens Nowotny in his World Cup squad yesterday despite the defender's near two-year absence from international football.

Klinsmann also added surprise choice David Odonkor from Borussia Dortmund, picking the uncapped 22-year-old midfielder over a trio of experienced rivals for a spot in the hosts' 23-man squad.

Nowotny, 32, has long been recognised as one of Germany's finest defenders, but has only recently recovered from serious injury and got back in the Bundesliga after a long legal row with his club, Bayer Leverkusen.

Capped 45 times, his inclusion was seen as a tacit acceptance by Klinsmann that his young defence needed a more experienced anchor, especially in the light of a 4-1 defeat by Italy in March.

"Jens is a player who brings a lot of experience to the team," Klinsmann told a news conference in Berlin, where Germany will be based for the June 9-July 9 tournament.

"He'll be an important part of the framework."

Nowotny last played for Germany in a 2-1 defeat by Czech Republic that knocked them out of the group stages at Euro 2004.

His return for Leverkusen in the latter stages of the past season were an immediate reminder of his class and were a key factor in his team's strong finish to the campaign.

Odonkor was the other surprise member of Klinsmann's squad.

"He's a huge talent," said Klinsmann, adding that he had not picked him before to avoid putting pressure on the pacy attacking midfielder.

"He was obviously thrilled when I called him," said Klinsmann.

Odonkor effectively took the place of injured Bayern Munich winger Sebastian Deisler.

Out-of-form Schalke 04 striker Kevin Kuranyi failed to make the cut and there were two surprising omissions in Schalke midfielder Fabian Ernst and Werder Bremen full-back Patrick Owomoyela.

Striker Mike Hanke of VfL Wolfsburg won a place despite the fact that he will be suspended for the first two matches because of a sending-off in last year's Confederations Cup.

Klinsmann reaffirmed Germany's goal of winning the World Cup.

"It's everyone's goal and dream," he said.

"We're three times champions. We know it will be a difficult goal to achieve but, with a lot of commitment, we're going to aim for that."

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Lehmann (Arsenal), Kahn (Bayern Munich), Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart).

Defenders: Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Huth (Chelsea), Jansen (B. M'gladbach), Lahm (Bayern Munich), Mertesacker (Hanover 96), Metzelder (B. Dortmund), Nowotny (Bayer Leverkusen).

Midfielders: Ballack (Bayern Munich), Borowski (Werder Bremen), Frings (Werder Bremen), Kehl (Borussia Dortmund), Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen), Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Odonkor (Borussia Dortmund).

Forwards: Asamoah (Schalke 04), Klose (Werder Bremen), Neuville (Borussia M'gladbach), Podolski (Cologne), Hanke (Werder Bremen).