Bender called up for World Cup qualifier

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender was on Saturday called up for Germany's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on Tuesday as a replacement for the suspended Bastian Schweinsteiger.Schweinsteiger misses the match in Nuremberg after picking up a yellow card against Kazakhstan in Astana on Friday, a match the Germans won 3-0.Bender had been part of coach Joachim Loew's origninal 23-man squad for the Kazakh double-header before pulling out due to flu.Loew has several other doubts but has yet to make a decision on striker Mario Gomez and centre-back Benedikt Hoewedes, both suffering from thigh problems.The same goes for midfielder Julian Draxler, who had to be substituted early on Friday due to a head injury.Germany are in command of qualifying group C with a five-point lead over second-placed Sweden, although they have played a game more.

Source: AFP