Mohsni gets initial World Cup call-up

in five Crystal Palace victories as they impressively avoided relegation.

Central midfield has been one of the toughest decisions. Oxlade-chamberlainwassure to go to Russia after transforming his career under Jurgen Klopp since his move from Arsenal in January, until the devastating knee injury in Liverpool’s Champions League match against AS Roma. But that has not opened up space for Wilshere. Fabian Delph has played his way into the squad, largely due to his versatility, proving his ability to cover effectively as a left-back for Manchester City. Germany coach Joachim Loew will be staying in charge until after the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

The German FA planned to extend Loew’s deal until the European Championships in 2020 but he, along with assistant coach Thomas Schneider and goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke, has agreed to stay for two years after that.

Oliver Bierhoff, the national team general manager, is also extending his deal to 2024, along with assistant Marcus Sorg.

Loew has been in charge since taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann after the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Loew had been Klinsmann’s assistant when the team finished third.

The former Freiburg midfielder led the team to runners-up spot at Euro 2008, third at the World Cup in 2010 and a semi-final exit at Euro 2012 before they won the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

Loew, meanwhile, has included injured captain Manuel Neuer in his preliminary squad for next month’s World Cup in Russia. Goalie Neuer hasn’t played since September because of a hairline fracture in his left foot.

Freiburg’s 29-year-old striker Nils Petersen was a surprise call-up. Former Dundee United defender Bilel Mohsni has been included in Tunisia’s initial squad for the World Cup.

He rejected an offer to stay at Tannadice after the club’s Premiership play-off semi-final defeat by Livingston but his previous form for United has been recognised by Tunisia boss Nabil Maaloul.

The 30-year-old ex-rangers centre-back has been named in a 29-man preliminary squad and will have the chance to impress in warm-up fixtures against Portugal and Turkey before Maaloul cuts his squad to 23 players for the tournament in Russia next month.