GERMANY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: German defender Philipp Lahm say he will play in any position for Germany

Defender Philipp Lahm said on Thursday he is prepared to play in position for Germany ahead Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales. Lahm, who was moved to midfield in the friendly against England, said "I don't know where I will be playing, I think it is enough to know that the day before the match if I will be playing midfield or defence. No problem." Germany coach Joachim Loew has been able to recall strikers Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez for the Wales match. The forwards were joined in the squad by midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and left-back Marcell Jansen, who also missed the recent friendly victory over England because of injury. Keeper Jens Lehmann who battled against an elbow injury said he will be fit to play: "I have trained twice and had to hold really fast shots , it niggles a couple of times but is over immediately. I think I can play well." The situation is still not perfect for Loew, however, with captain Michael Ballack among a group of players still missing through injury. The others include midfielders Torsten Frings and Tim Borowski and forward Jan Schlaudraff. Bernd Schneider, another senior midfielder, is suspended. Germany lead European Championship qualifying Group D with 19 points from seven matches. Czech Republic are second with 14 points, while Wales are down in fifth with seven points from six games. Germany follow up the Wales game with a friendly against Romania on September 12 in Cologne.

ITN Source | September 7, 2007

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