Frings returns for Germany

Germany will welcome back Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski and Clemens Fritz ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against…

Germany will welcome back Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski and Clemens Fritz ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland side and near neighbours the Czech Republic.

Coach Joachim Loew has recalled the trio who have a recovered from lengthy lay-offs.

With captain Michael Ballack still injured, Frings and Borowski, could make up the central midfield partnership for the games in Dublin on October 13th and in Munich four days later.

Leading striker Miroslav Klose is also out injured, meaning a place in the squad for Stefan Kiessling of Bayer Leverkusen.

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The other injury absentees are defenders Philipp Lahm and Christian Pander and midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Germany are top of Group D with 22 points from eight games. The Czechs are second on 20 points from nine games, with Ireland a distant third on 14, also from nine.

Staunton's men need maximum points from their games against Germany and Cyprus to have any hope of qualification, but they are also relying on the Czech Republic slipping up against Loew's side and neighbours Slovakia.

Germany Squad (v Ireland and Czech Repeublic)

Goalkeepers: Timo Hildebrand (Valencia), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal)

Defenders: Gonzalo Castro (Bayer Leverkusen), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Manuel Friedrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Roberto Hilbert (VfB Stuttgart), David Odonkor (Real Betis), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV)

Forwards: Mario Gomez (VfB Stuttgart), Patrick Helmes (Cologne), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich)