Germany coach Joachim Low looks set to scupper speculation surrounding Lewis Holtby's England credentials.
Potential England international likely to be called on by Germany
Germany coach Joachim Low looks set to scupper speculation surrounding the possibility of Lewis Holtby playing for England.
The Mainz winger has dazzled in his team's excellent start to the Bundesliga season and it has been suggested that the Germany Under 21 captain has caught the eye of Fabio Capello.
Germany-born Holtby could play for the senior team of England or Germany due to the fact that his father is from Liverpool.
But Low insists the 20-year-old and Mainz's Andre Schurrle, who has agreed to join Bayer Leverkusen next summer, are in his plans, although the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Turkey on 8th October and Kazakhstan four days later will come too soon.
Holtby and Schurrle are instead expected to feature in Low's squad for the first time in their careers in the friendly against Sweden in mid-November.
Low told
BILD: "I am trying to have consideration for players whenever it is possible to do so.
Legend
"But we are going to play Turkey now and there is no room to have consideration for anything. I may lower the intensity of training, but I will not leave any regular member out of the team.
"Players such as Andre Schurrle or Lewis Holtby of Mainz have edged very close to the Germany squad."
Low added: "I think it is better for them to play in the U21s this month. They need match action rather than sitting on the bench with us.
"Anyway, all of them are going to get their opportunity with us this year. The friendly against Sweden is a match I am going to use for testing."
Holtby has previously admitted that he would give consideration to playing for England if the situation presented itself.
He said: "I would definitely listen to [Capello]. There is always a chance for a conversation. There is always a chance to talk and to listen about things. I would never say no to a conversation.
"England and Germany own 50 per cent of my heart and I really love both countries and I pay respect to all of them and especially to a great guy like Capello - he's a legend in the sport of football."
