Loew to experiment with newcomers in Georgia match

BERLIN, Oct 4 (Reuters) Germany coach Joachim Loew plans to experiment with newcomers in a friendly against Georgia in Rostock on Saturday.

Germany, who play away in Slovakia next Wednesday in a Euro 2008 qualifier, are without a number of key players through injury.

''It's up to them to prove they belong,'' Loew told a news conference today.

''The important thing is that they get a little taste of the international team and learn how it feels to be part of the elite.'' Loew called up three untried players last week to his squad: Hamburg SV playmaker Piotr Trochowski, Alemannia Aachen forward Jan Schlaudraff and Werder Bremen defender Clemens Fritz. He also called up Hanover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke.

VfB Stuttgart's Timo Hildebrand, previously number three behind Arsenal's Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn until the Bayern keeper retired, will get a rare chance to start against Georgia.

Loew has made it clear that Hildebrand and Enke are in an open battle for the job to be back-up to Lehmann.

Missing through injury are Schalke 04 striker Gerald Asamoah and Werder Bremen's defender Per Mertesacker as well as midfielder Tim Borowski. Also out are defenders Christoph Metzelder, Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny.

''Our priority is clearly the match against Slovakia,'' said Loew. ''We have a chance to open up a six-point lead against a direct rival. That's clearly our goal.'' Germany lead Group D on goal difference with six points from two matches, a 1-0 victory over Ireland and a 13-0 win drubbing of San Marino. The Czech Republic are second with six points.

Reuters AB GC2053