A selection headache is always a refreshing problem for coaches ahead of major tournaments and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer appears to be providing that for his coach Joachim Loew. The Bayern Munich man is looking to regain full fitness before the start of the World Cup after not playing a single competitive match since September. Mike Fox tells us why the defending champions might keep the faith with a player who is out of practice.

At present, Germany have four men who play in between the sticks at their training camp in Tyrol, Italy. Bern Leno, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp will all be playing European football next season with Trapp and Ter Stegen part of title winning teams in Spain and France. But despite strong domestic seasons, it's looking more and more likely they won't have the Die Manshafts number one shirt come the opening game in Russia. That may well go to a man who hasn't played in nine months, Manuel Neuer. The Bayern shot stopper hasn't seen any competitive action since breaking a bone in his foot last September. But, the world champions will do anything to have him fit, despite the lack of match practice after establishing himself as one of the world's best in recent years.

ANDREAS KOPKE GERMANY GOALKEEPER COACH "Manuel needs to play matches after his long injury in order to be 100 per cent fit again. That's why friendly games are very welcome to us. It's also a nice change to always playing against each other in training. So it's tactically good and adds good variety."

The four-time winners face Austria on Saturday and then Saudi Arabia six days later before opening up against Mexico on June 17. Kopke, who won the Euros in 1996 as a player, has been keeping a close eye on the fitness of the squad and not just the men in goal. One close concern remains Toni Kroos who he believes needs more time to rest after capturing a fourth career Champions League title on Saturday.

ANDREAS KOPKE EURO 1996 WINNER "Toni Kroos is a player who we could have rested until the match against Mexico. He would have played even without taking part in the training camp and would have brought his high level of performance. But, after the UEFA Champions League final, you need time to come down mentally."

Germany's squad must be whittled down from 27 to 23 by June third and even without Kroos and Neuer in the full picture they have enough depth to deal with any challenge. Mike Fox, CGTN.