Germany’s Neuer fit to play against Romania, many options up front

CAPTAIN Manuel Neuer is ready to be between the post for Germany in two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Romania and North Macedonia after which they could already be qualified for next year’s finals in Qatar.

Neuer was part of a full 23-player squad during Wednesday training in Hamburg, after the 35-year-old had sat out the previous day’s session.

Germany host Romania on Friday and visit North Macedonia on Monday.

If they win both games and Armenia drop points in their matches Germany could clinch qualification with two games to spare.

The full squad gives coach Hansi Flick plenty of options, especially up front where however Timo Werner, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry are expected to start after scoring eight of the 12 goals in last month’s qualifiers against Liechtenstein, Armenia and Iceland.

Further attackers could include Thomas Mueller, who missed the September games with injury, Kai Havertz or Marco Reus.

There are also include promising youngsters such as 18-year-olds Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, plus 19-year-old striker karim Adeyemi who have all already played under Flick.

Mueller spoke of “excellent options” up front and “tough decisions” Flick will have to make there.

“It’s always exciting to see young talent coming through and how quickly they adapt to the level and make their mark,” national team director Oliver Bierhoff said on on Wednesday.

Bierhoff praised “very good competition owing to the quality of the players” as well as a “positive spirit” and Flick’s euphoria.

Flick has urged that “we must make the most of every game, every training” as there are only 1 months between the end of the Euros and the start of the World Cup on November 21, 2022.

The qualifying campaign ends in November with games against Liechtenstein and Armenia, and three international windwos then follow in 2022 before the big event.

The March dates are reserved for two or three friendlies, preferably against top teams the next Nations League starts with the first four games during a two-week window in June and the other two follow in September.

“The World Cup is not very far away. It is a short cycle,” Mueller has said, and Bierhoff spoke of “a special year.

“We want to return to the top in the world. Every game, every result is important for that,” Bierhoff said.