Klinsmann calls up nine players for fitness checks

FRANKFURT, May 5 (Reuters) Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann has called up nine World Cup candidates for fitness tests next week after they all missed out on checks last month.

Schalke O4's Fabian Ernst, Gerald Asamoah and Kevin Kuranyi, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm of Bayern Munich, Miroslav Klose and Torsten Frings of Werder Bremen, Hanover 96 defender Per Mertesacker and Wolfsburg striker Mike Hanke were the nine called up for tests, the German Football Association said today.

The nine players missed the April checks because of club commitments or injury.

Klinsmann will name his squad for the World Cup on May 15.

The hosts kick off the World Cup with a Group A match against Costa Rica in Munich on June 9.

REUTERS SI BD2307