German coach names players for Argentina friendly

Berlin, Aug 10 (IANS) German football coach Joachim Loew has appointed 17 players from the nation's Euro squad and two other youngsters for their upcoming friendly against Argentina, the German Football Association (DFB) announced.

Loew nominated 17 out of 23 players from European championship. In addition he invited Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender and Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler who were already part of the extended Euro squad, reports Xinhua.

Captain Philipp Lahm was not invited as his wife expects their first child. "I made the decision due to his private situation," Loew said in an official statement.

Vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger as well as Mario Gomez are sidelined due to injury. Arsenal players Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker were not nominated after consultation with coach Arsene Wenger.

"For both players it appears more important that they spend these last few days before the start of the season with the 'Gunners' in London," Joachim Loew said.

The match will be played in Frankfurt Aug 15.