Loew has recovered from the blow of losing Ballack for the tournament and believes that Khedira is the perfect choice to partner Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger in the heart of Germany’s midfield.

“It can be assumed that Khedira is the number-one candidate for this position,” Loew told Bild.

“He has a great deal of potential and is a player who has already been given a lot of responsibility at Stuttgart.

“He also shows that he has matured.”

Khedira is a former Under-21 captain and Loew believes he can slot into the team without the Germans having to alter their formation.

“I expect other players to take over accordingly,” Loew explained. “You have got to demand that.

“Bastian Schweinsteiger will have even more responsibility, for example, and also Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker have got to exceed themselves.

“It is often the case that others step forward when a leading player drops out and this could also be the chance for other players.

“We need a reaction like that ahead of the World Cup.”

Loew has yet to answer the question as to who will take Ballack’s armband, although he has been thinking about that.

“Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are obviously candidates, but so too is Miro Klose – he has played the most international games,” revealed Loew.

Whoever leads the team onto the field will be doing so with the usual expectations of a nation which has won the title three times.

However, Loew is not eyeing the cup this time, especially with Ballack ruled out.

“That is why we are not talking about the World Cup title,” he said.

“We have set ourselves the goal of playing a good World Cup and there is no point in building up the pressure by setting targets.

“Our first stage will be the group phase, which is going to be hard enough.”

Germany kick-off their campaign against Australia (8/15 Germany 11/4 draw 5/1 Australia – match betting) and also face Serbia and Ghana in the group.

One crucial decision Loew has yet to make is who will replace Rene Adler in goal – the German coach looks set to wait until the end of the second training camp before revealing his choice.

However, the players have already been given training equipment with a dedicated squad number and Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been confirmed as the number one.

Werder Bremen’s Tim Wiese has the number 12 and Bayern’s Hans-Jorg Butt is number 23.

However, Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff said: “The numbers don’t give any indication at all about any ranking list.”

Three players must still be trimmed from Low’s current 26-man squad before Germany jet out to South Africa on 6 June.

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Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime meant the Red Devils leapfrogged Chelsea to the top of the Premier League, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men can give themselves a one-point cushion with two games to go if they beat Stoke at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Chelsea (1/7 – Chelsea v Stoke City match bets) have only dropped five points on their own turf since the start of the season, and since their defeat to Manchester City at home they have won three in a row at Stamford Bridge, scoring 12 goals in the process.

The Premier League title battle looks like going right to the wire and Chelsea have a tough trip to Anfield after the Stoke encounter, before ending their season playing host to Wigan Athletic.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba (2/1 - first goalscorer) told the official Chelsea website that it is “important” for the fans to create a special atmosphere by getting “really behind” the team.

“We have done well at home. You never know what can happen, games are difficult now,” said the forward.

“Some teams are trying to save lives but some teams are playing for little and can enjoy themselves, and sometimes then you play better.”

He added: “Sunday is the kind of game that we are going to have until the end of the season so we need them to be patient and to really shout and sing and be supportive, that is the only way to win it.”

Chelsea will have to cope without John Terry against the aerial bombardment Stoke (18/1 to win, 13/2 draw – Chelsea v Stoke City match bets) are likely to bring to Stamford Bridge after the former England captain as sent off in their defeat to Spurs last weekend.

Drogba has been struggling with a groin problem but is expected to take part while Ashley Cole could come back into the side after an extended period on the sidelines.

Tony Pulis is set to welcome Ryan Shawcross and Mathew Etherington into his side for the game, and Stoke fans could take some heart from the fact their side have not lost any of their six away league matches so far in 2010.

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