Frings not in Loew´s World Cup plans

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings was told on Wednesday his international career is over after national coach Joachim Loew said the Werder Bremen star will play no part in his World Cup plans.

The 33-year-old won 79 caps and scored 10 goals for his country, but has been out of favour since October 2008 and Loew told the midfielder in person he will play no part in his plans for June’s tournament in South Africa.

The defensive midfielder’s last international appearance was the 1-0 defeat to Norway in a friendly in February 2009.

Loew travelled to meet Frings in Bremen on Wednesday to tell him face-to-face that he had played his last international for Germany.

“This step does not come as a complete surprise for me,” Frings told SID.

“You could see it coming, if you read all the signs.

“There is nothing else for me to do but accept the decision, even if it has completely changed my opinion of Joachim Loew.

“I believe that I still have the potential to put in some strong performances at the World Cup and I am determined to prove this in the Bundesliga.”

Loew has said he wants to give rising stars like exciting play-maker Bremen’s Mesut Oezil and Marko Marin or Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller a chance and there is no place for Frings’ experience, even in the extended squad.

“We have many young players, who fulfill our requirements in our extended squad and are very good prospects both for the World Cup and beyond,” said Loew.

“We want to give young players international experience, because we are convinced of them and want to give them more responsibility and exposure at this level.

“There will be other important and difficult decisions to be made in the next few weeks.

“We travelled to see Torsten because of his achievements with the national teams over many years.”

With Loew set to announce on Thursday the extended Germany squad who will report for fitness training in Stuttgart which starts on Monday, there will be no place for Frings.

He made his debut against France in February 27 2001, but his last significant appearance was the Euro 2008 final when Germany lost 1-0 to Spain in Vienna.

Frings was at the centre of a row in October 2008 when captain Michael Ballack accused Loew of not showing his senior players respect after Frings was dropped for the 2-1 win over Russia in a World Cup qualification match.

Germany have drawn Australia, Ghana and Serbia at this June’s World Cup finals in South Africa from June 11 to July 11.