Odonkor in Germany squad

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has announced his 23-man squad for the World Cup.

The major surprise is uncapped 22-year-old winger David Odonkor, who has been called into the international set-up for the first time.

"I guess it will come as a surprise that David Odonkor is in the squad, but he has been part of our thoughts for a long time," explained Klinsmann.

"We have left him out up to now intentionally as we thought it may be too much for him at a young age to have all the pressure."

Klinsmann has largely opted for experience, with new Chelsea signing Michael Ballack named as the hosts' captain.

Sebastian Kehl had been a major doubt with an ankle injury but is included, as is Jens Nowotny, who has spent the last two years in the international wilderness.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has also been selected, while Mike Hanke is named even though he will be suspended for the first two games of the tournament.

There is no place in the 23 for Schalke duo Fabian Ernst and Kevin Kuranyi, while Werder Bremen defender Patrick Owomoyela must settle for a place on the standby list.

Squad:

Goalkeepers:Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart)

Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Robert Huth (Chelsea), Marcell Jansen (Borussia Monchengladbach), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Hannover), Christoph Metzelder (Borussia Dortmund), Jens Nowotny (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Sebastian Kehl (Borussia Dortmund), David Odonkor (Borussia Dortmund), Bernd Scheider (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Gerald Asamoah (Schalke), Mike Hanke (Wolfsburg), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Monchengladbach), Lukas Podolski (Cologne)