'Disrespectful' talk irks Sami

Khedira slams reports his international career is hanging in balance

Last Updated: October 7, 2011 4:20pm

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Sami Khedira: Has slammed reports suggesting his international career is in danger

Sky Bet

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has hit back at reports suggesting his career with the Germany national side is under threat.

The 24-year-old made the last of his 20 appearances for his country in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Austria in June.

He was left out of the squad for a series of friendly matches in August while injury prevented him from being called up for last month's round of Group A qualifiers.

Khedira has returned to the fold for the upcoming Group A games against Turkey and Belgium, but in his absence the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Gotze, Toni Kroos and Andre Schurrle have shone, leading to suggestions that he is no longer a first choice under coach Joachim Low.

But Khedira branded those suggestions "disrespectful" in an interview with BILD magazine, saying: "I have found this whole discussion very interesting.

"People have started to talk about me, about somebody who could not even take part, about somebody who has played non-stop in the national team for years - and pretty well at that - and about somebody who is a regular at Real Madrid.

"I find it a shame. I even think it is disrespectful to talk about me like that in my absence.

"That is not fair given my performances in recent years."

Despite the gloomy forecasts about his international future, Khedira is nevertheless in line to return to Low's line-up on Friday with Kroos ruled out by injury.