Joachim Löw to keep faith in Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski

The Germany coach, Joachim Löw, says he will select Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski in his World Cup squad despite the strikers scoring just three league goals between them this season. Podolski has scored twice in 25 games for Cologne, while Klose has been even less productive, with one in 22 for Bayern Munich. "I know that they have not had very much success this season, but I have no doubts about their quality," Löw told Kicker magazine. Löw also revealed that he is considering a recall for Kevin Kuranyi, who has not figured in the national team since October 2008, but has scored 18 times for Schalke this season. "I am still considering it and I will certainly reveal my choice before 6 May. But the squad announcement cannot be overshadowed by the issue of Kuranyi." Meanwhile, the chances of Thomas Hitzlsperger being chosen are diminishing by the week. He left Stuttgart for Lazio in the winter to try to get more first-team football, but he has not appeared in the Serie A side's last three matches and has yet to start a game for the club. He now has four games left to prove to Löw that he deserves to be included. "It is not easy and we will have to wait and see if he plays a few games in the next three weeks," commented Löw.