Bayern Munich’s veteran goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt is set to be handed a shock World Cup call-up when Joachim Loew names his World Cup squad on today, according to German daily Bild.
Bild quotes a German Football Federation (DFB) source as saying Butt, who won the last of his three caps in 2003, is set to be named today in Germany’s World Cup squad following an injury to Rene Adler.
STELLAR FORM
The 35-year-old Butt has been in stellar form for Bayern this season with Louis van Gaal’s side set to win the Bundesliga title on Saturday.
Loew has already said he will name Schalke 04’s Manuel Neuer and Werder Bremen’s Tim Wiese in his World Cup squad, but Butt is likely to get a recall to claim the third goalkeeping place.
Adler was forced out of World Cup contention on Tuesday when it was revealed he needs a rib operation.
EXPERIENCE
Bayern’s Germany defender Philipp Lahm said Butt’s experience could play a valuable role for the national side in South Africa.
“His experience speaks for itself,” Lahm said. “He could help the national side, but he must decide for himself whether he should come along or not.”
Meanwhile, former Germany coach Franz Beckenbauer told Bild he feels former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann could be another option to claim the third berth, if Loew opts not to take Butt.
“That would be a possibility,” said Beckenbauer who captained Germany to the World Cup in 1974 and coached the team to the 1990 title.
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