Klose, Oezil out for friendly against the Dutch

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FRANKFURT, Germany — Lazio striker Miroslav Klose and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil have joined the growing list of absentees for Germany’s friendly against the Netherlands.

The German Football Federation (DFB) says Klose dropped out with a cold and Oezil reported muscle problems.

Coach Joachim Loew called up Schalke forward Lewis Holtby to fill the gap.

Loew is already missing Bayern Munich midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos, Borussia Dortmund defender Marcel Schmelzer and Bayern defender Jerome Boateng, who are out with injuries. Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber, Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira and Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez also are missing.

Eintracht Frankfurt and Germany under-21 defender Sebastian Jung received his first call-up and Loew also invited Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender as late replacements.

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