Podolski recalled, Ozil dropped from Germany squad

Germany have recalled Lukas Podolski and Arne Friedrich for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales but dropped midfielder Mesut Ozil.

National coach Joachim Loew has also included goalkeeper Robert Enke and midfielder Marcell Jansen for the matches in Leipzig on March 28 and Cardiff on April 1.

Podolski has been in goal-scoring form for Bayern Munich since returning from a back problem while Friedrich remains a rock in league leaders Hertha Berlin's defence after a brief injury break.

"It is good that Lukas again plays a good role at Bayern," Loew said. "But we would have called him up anyway because he is a valuable striker, who we trust very much."

Both Podolski and Friedrich missed Germany's 1-0 home defeat against Norway in a friendly last month.

Loew surprisingly dropped Werder Bremen midfielder Ozil, who has been a regular for his club. Ozil had also been courted by Turkey because of his family's roots.

Germany are top of Europe Group Four with 10 points from four matches, four ahead of Russia who have a game in hand.