How Germany could line up against Japan

Joshua Kimmich is expected to start at right wing-back when Germany host Japan in a friendly at the Volkswagen Arena on Saturday, with Hansi Flick reportedly ready to experiment with his team following a string of below-par results.

The 58-year-old manager looks set to deploy a 3-5-2-1 formation in Wolfsburg, meaning that Antonio Rudiger, Niklas Sule and Malick Thiaw will likely feature at centre-back ahead of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Robin Gosens is expected to operate on the opposite flank to Kimmich, with Emre Can and Ilkay Gundogan anchoring the midfield, while Jamal Muisala and Florian Wirtz could offer attacking support to lone striker Serge Gnabry.

Borussia Dortmund new boy Niclas Fullkrug has withdrawn from the squad due to a minor injury, leading to a recall for veteran forward Thomas Muller, who has scored 44 goals in 121 appearances for his country.

On top of that, Brighton & Hove Albion's Pascal Gross has been called up to the senior squad for the very first time, while fellow Premier League stars Kai Havertz and Kevin Schade have also made the cut.

However, 117-cap goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains sidelined after breaking his leg in a skiing accident back in December, while notable names like Timo Werner, Marco Reus and Leon Goretzka have not been called up by Flick.

Germany possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Rudiger, Sule, Thiaw; Kimmich, Can, Gundogan, Gosens; Musiala, Wirtz; Gnabry