Lukas Podolski's return to form inspired Germany's 4-0 win over Cyprus and gave coach Joachim Loew a much needed Plan B to take to the Euro 2008 finals.

Germany were without their entire first choice midfield of Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, Bernd Schneider and Bastian Schweinsteiger on Saturday yet pre-match worries about a lack of creativity were immediately dispelled by Podolski.

In the second minute the 22-year-old crossed for Clemens Fritz to open the scoring.

Podolski also played a part in the second goal, scored by Miroslav Klose, swept in the third himself to take his scoring record to 24 in 43 internationals and teed up Thomas Hitzlsperger for the fourth.

With so many senior players battling long-term injuries, Podolski wreaking havoc in a new 4-3-3 formation was a sight for Loew's sore eyes.

"Lukas gave us a lot of drive and was involved in all four goals," the coach told reporters. "That pleased me a great deal. We'd been working on this formation in training."

The performance was also a relief for Podolski himself. After being named best young player at the 2006 World Cup, he has scored just four Bundesliga goals at Bayern Munich.

He started the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with seven goals in three games but before Saturday he had not scored in 13 months.

"I know what I can do but I haven't achieved anything yet," Podolski said.

"This was a small step forward but I have to keep fighting, and working on my game."