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Loew has high hopes

Cape Town - German manager Joachim Loew is confident that star players Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Manuel Neuer will be fit in time for the World Cup, which kicks off in a fortnight.

Germany have already been forced to accept the fact that Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender will not compete at these championships, after sustaining an injury during pre-tournament training.

However, Loew insists that the situation is not as grave as it might initially appear.

"If you follow some reports you would think that we are in a military hospital. This is not true. The majority of players are able to fully train, and are working very well. I am satisfied with our current standing," Loew told journalists this week.

"They are all going to be fit for the World Cup. Their current injuries are not serious, but short-term injuries," Loew said of the situation with the three Bayern players.

Loew indicated that Lahm would be back in training by Tuesday, while Neuer is expected to work on his own rehabilitation programme for the remainder of this week.

However, there is still very little clarity on Schweinsteiger’s circumstances. The good news for Germany ahead of this year’s campaign is that Sami Khedira, who has been sidelined by injury for a protracted period, is fit and training with the rest of the group.

"He is still getting over his injury, but he is already looking physically stronger," said Loew of the German midfielder.
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