Joachim Löw: Manuel Neuer to Miss Australia Friendly with Injury

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will not play in Germany's friendly against Australia, head coach Joachim Löw said in his press conference on Tuesday. Neuer will be resting due to knee inflammation.

"Neuer will not play against Australia. He has bursitis in his knee," said Löw. "We do not want to incur any risk for Georgia, and there are not any problems if one is careful."

Neuer played all but one of Bayern Munich's matches before the international break, and Guardiola decided to rest the keeper for Pepe Reina earlier this month. Löw called in Borussia Dortmund's Roman Weidenfeller and Hannover's Ron-Robert Zieler as the other two goalkeepers, both of whom qualified to take his place against Australia on Wednesday.

One player who will start for Löw is Holger Badstuber, for he wants both Badstuber and Ilkay Gündogan to get a good look-in upon their return to the national team. Badstuber has not taken the field for Germany since October 2012, and with Per Mertesacker and Philipp Lahm retiring, he could fill a big defensive need for Germany.

Also making his return, and his debut as Germany's new captain, is Bastian Schweinsteiger. Löw is sure glad to have him back.

"It is a good sign the captain is back on board," Löw said. "Bastian is in very good form, and he is taking a leading role with FC Bayern. It is important for a team to have a leadership personality on the field."