Loew to keep faith with Lehmann

Germany press conference:  Jens Lehmann is being backed to regain the number one spot with Arsenal following a miserable start to the season.

The 37-year-old has not played for Arsenal since the trip to Blackburn on August 19th when he picked up a back injury although he had not been on particularly good form at the start of the season.

Since then Manuel Almunia has taken over and while Lehmann has looked on over the last two months, the Spaniard has shown no signs of relinquishing the position as he has kept six clean sheets in nine matches.

Yet despite being out of favour with manager Arsene Wenger, Lehmann remains the number one choice for Germany coach Joachim Loew.

Lehmann will win his 49th cap tomorrow when he lines up against the Republic of Ireland in a Euro 2008 qualifier at Dublin's Croke Park.

Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi is convinced Lehmann has the quality to come through this blip in his career.

"Of course, it's always important for any player to play games," said Kuranyi, who has 19 goals in 42 appearances for Germany.

"He was Arsenal's number one, and although he is going through a difficult time at the moment, I'm sure he will bounce back and play again for Arsenal given time."

Kuranyi, meanwhile, is adamant Germany will not take their eye off the ball, despite the fact they only need one more point to reach next summer's finals in Switzerland and Austria.

Loew's unbeaten side have dropped just two points from their eight games, and they are determined not to let their record slip.

"We have come here to win the game - there is no doubt about it," insisted Kuranyi.  "We only need a point, but in our heart of hearts we know Ireland are a very hard team to beat.

"Coming here to scramble a point isn't good enough. We want to win this game.  If we let them play their game, they can play good football. They have good strikers who move very well. We mustn't let that happen.

"We have to close them down right from the start and not let them develop their style."

General team manager Oliver Bierhoff also maintains the side are eager to keep up the pressure at the top of the group, especially with the Czech Republic their next opponents on Wednesday.

"We want to come out on top of this group," asserted Bierhoff.  "We know it will be difficult, especially as Ireland have been successful at home so far.

"We are fairly sure the Irish team will be riding on that wave, but having said that, we play some very convincing away games."

Bierhoff believes the German fans will enjoy Dublin, adding: "You hear a lot about the Republic - the mood, atmosphere, about the 'boys in green' and what the supporters can do

"We have quite a number of fans who have not just come for the game, but also to drink and grasp the atmosphere!"

Loew is without a number of key names for the game, notably Tim Borowski (back), Bernd Schneider (knee), Roberto Hilbert (ankle) and Miroslav Klose (knee).  PA