Frings can get better if he proves himself, says Loew

Germany coach Joachim Loew has made it clear to rebel midfielder Torsten Frings in a face-to-face meeting on Tuesday he must prove himself if he wants to win back his place to face England next month.

The 31-year-old midfielder – part of the teams that reached both the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008 finals where they lost to Brazil and Spain respectively – was bitterly disappointed after Loew dropped him from the national side last month for the first time in his career as he sat on the bench for the World Cup qualifier wins against Russia and Wales.

In the wake of Loew's decision, Germany captain Michael Ballack accused Loew of not showing his senior players enough respect and loyalty, while Frings backed his skipper live on German television and said he should not have been dropped.

Ballack apologised in person to Loew for his comments last week in a meeting in Frankfurt.

Frings also travelled to meet the national coach in Berlin on Tuesday and the 78-times capped midfielder was left in no doubt what work lies ahead of him if he wants to win back his place in die Mannschaft.

“Torsten and I had already had a fair and open discussion last October in Dusseldorf before the Russia and Wales games when I told him he can be an important player for the national team,” said Loew on the German Football Federation website.

“But competition for midfield is intense and he must prove himself, he has accepted this and apologised.”

With Germany set to play England in a friendly on November 19 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, Frings will need to oust Stuttgart midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger from the team if he wants to start against Fabio Capello's side.

“It is quite clear to me that I can claim no privileges based on my previous success and achievements,” said the Werder Bremen midfielder.

“I can only repeat that I was disappointed about the last two World Cup qualifiers because I was only briefly used once.

“This was a new situation which was hard for me to accept and because of my first reaction I have to use the word 'sorry'.

“I will compete for my place in the national team, I expect no guarantees and will have to prove myself through my achievements.

“To play for my country is still something special for me.

“I will take my chances and do everything I can to help us qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and hope to play a good tournament there.”