Löw ready to mix the new with the old

Germany have been hit by injuries ahead of their friendly against France tonight but coach Joachim Löw said the problems would allow him to mix in new players ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

Germany will be without Miroslav Klose and Borussia Dortmund trio Marcel Schmelzer, Marco Reus and Mario Goëtze when they play Les Bleus at the Stade de France.

“We’ve got a problem many coaches have at this time of the year, we have to deal with it,” Löw said yesterday. “We need more than 11 players. It’s a year without finals so we can test new players,” Löw said. “Injuries also allow us to bring in new players ahead of the World Cup.”

Löw, who took charge in 2006, led Germany to the Euro 2008 final and to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and last year’s European championship.

He fielded the second-youngest team in the 2010 World Cup and Germany developed into a side playing eye-catching football as Löw brought in players such as Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan.

“This philosophy has made us stronger even though we need to make adjustments in the front as well as at the back,” said Löw, who added that Philip Lahm would play as right back.

The May-June tour to the US, where Germany will face Ecuador and the United States, will give Löw more chances to integrate new players.

”The American tour will allow us to see other players. Some players will need to rest after a long season and some will be playing in the under-21 European championship in Israel,” he said.

With the World Cup in mind, Löw will switch keepers for the France game. Rene Adler will start instead of Manuel Neuer.

“Neuer is the number one but we need to have someone who can replace him if needed before the World Cup. Neuer has to accept the situation,” said Löw.

“Neuer will be the keeper against Kazakhstan.

Germany top the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying group ahead of back-to-back fixtures against second-from-bottom Kazakhstan next month.