Brazil-born forward Cacau was among four new faces named in Germany coach Joachim Low's squad for their end-of-season tour of Asia. The Stuttgart player, who recently obtained a German passport, is the most eye-catching inclusion for the matches against China PR on May 29 and United Arab Emirates four days later.

Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer comes into the 18-man squad, with Rene Adler and Tim Wiese unavailable because of Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen's participation in the DFB-Pokal final, while Stuttgart defender Christian Trasch and Wolfsburg midfielder Christian Gentner have also been included.

He is a technical striker and has precisely the qualities to match our footballing philosophy. He has deserved his chance.
Germany coach Joachim Low on forward Cacau

Of Cacau, Low said: "He is a technical striker and has precisely the qualities to match our footballing philosophy. He is very agile and runs a lot, is comfortable on the ball and dangerous in front of goal. Therefore, he has deserved his chance with us in view of our future plans."

Cacau began his career with Sao Paulo before moving to German lower-league side 1975 Munich. The 28-year-old was then picked up by Nuremberg, spending two seasons there before moving to Stuttgart six years ago.

Huth, Weis recalled
Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth earned a recall to the squad, as did Hoffenheim midfielder Tobias Weis, but Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose was left out.

Low will use the trip to experiment before his side resume their bid to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, with Trasch, Weis, Huth and Gentner receiving the opportunity to cement their place in the squad. "They have the chance with this tour of Asia to stake their claim for further appearances with the national team," he explained.

"Christian Trasch has developed well and has a lot of potential. He is quick and physically strong. Christian Gentner has also developed positively and continued to play well in the Bundesliga over a long period of time."

They have the chance with this tour of Asia to stake their claim for further appearances with the national team.
Germany coach Joachim Low on Christian Trasch, Tobias Weis, Robert Huth and Christian Gentner

"I had never written Robert off since he has always performed well in the tournaments he has played with us. He has also impressed in the Premier League this season so we are happy to have him back in the squad."

Goalkeeper Neuer can expect to be given his first cap in one of the two games. "It is a logical decision because he is one of the four candidates that (goalkeeping coach) Andreas Kopke has in mind in planning for the 2010 World Cup," Low said.

After the tour, Neuer will represent his country at this year's UEFA U-21 Championship.


Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Robert Enke (Hannover), Manuel Neuer (Schalke)

Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Andreas Hinkel (Celtic), Robert Huth (Middlesbrough), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Marcel Schafer (Wolfsburg), Christian Trasch (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke)

Midfielders: Christian Gentner (Wolfsburg), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Marcell Jansen, Piotr Trochowski (both Hamburg), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Tobias Weis (Hoffenheim)

Forwards: Cacau, Mario Gomez (both Stuttgart), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich)