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Bobic given Rudi call

GERMAN coach Rudi Voller has nominated in-form Hannover striker Fredi Bobic and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hanno Balitsch as late replacements in his squad to face Holland on Wednesday.

Bobic's eight goals in eight Bundesliga appearances for Hannover this season had made him the centre of much speculation before Voller announced his original 20-man squad last week.

The former Stuttgart and Dortmund target man last played for his country in February 1998 and will now replace Carsten Jancker, who suffered a rib injury playing for Udinese in Serie A at the weekend.

With first-choice striker Miroslav Klose struggling to shake off an ankle injury, it could well be that Bobic will make the starting line-up against the Oranjes in Gelsenkirchen.

21-year-old defensive midfielder Balitsch will replace his Bayer Leverkusen club colleague Carsten Ramelow, who is suffering from a stomach illness, in the squad.