Germany call up Schalke striker Sidney Sam

The Republic of Ireland's Group D opponents Germany have called up forward Sidney Sam to add more punch to their attack against Scotland on Sunday after a string of absences and lack of firepower contributed to a 4-2 defeat by Argentina on Wednesday.

With last summer's World Cup winners looking far from their polished best and missing several key internaplayers, coach Joachim Löw wants more goal threat for his team's first Euro 2016 qualifier in Dortmund.

Lightning-quick Schalke 04 forward Sam will increase Löw's options after Mario Gomez, back from a long injury absence that caused him to miss the World Cup , squandered three clear chances against Argentina and was jeered by his own fans.