Bayern Munich goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt has been included in Germany's preliminary World Cup squad, replacing injured keeper Rene Adler, Germany coach Joachim Loew said Thursday. The 35-year-old, who won the last of his three international caps in June 2003, joins Schalke 04's Manuel Neuer and Werder Bremen's Tim Wiese as the team's keepers. Loew refused to say who would be his first choice for the tournament. “Now is not the time for this yet,” he told reporters. Butt is one of seven Bayern players to be called up, including Philipp Lahm, Holger Badstuber, Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez. Former Stuttgart captain Thomas Hitzlsperger though was dropped, after his switch to Lazio in the winter to recover his form failed to pay off. Loew invited a total of 27 players for the preliminary squad, which will be reduced to 23 players by June 1 for the final list. “We discussed it, but the decision (for Butt) came quickly,” Loew said. “He has been part of a tournament (in 2002) and he has that World Cup experience. “He played extremely well this season and he is a mature character who can strengthen younger players.” He also called up five “prospect” players for the May 13 friendly against Malta because of the absence of several key players. Those five will not be part of the World Cup squad. EPL snubs Fulham final plea Fulham's request to have its final league game of the season brought forward to aid its preparation for next week's Europa League final has been rejected by the English Premier League. The decision means Roy Hodgson's squad must face Arsenal at the Emirates Sunday, three days before meeting Atletico Madrid in the European final in Hamburg.
