Nowotny's World Cup hope

Veteran defender Jens Nowotny still hopes to make Germany's World Cup squad.

The 32-year-old has only recently returned from almost a year out of action due to yet another lengthy injury.

His fourth cruciate ligament problem was also followed by a legal wrangle with Bayer over his pay whilst he was on the sidelines.

The problem has now been sorted out and Nowotny is back playing for the club, and he is also hoping to make a late return to the national side.

Nowotny is desperate that some late appearances at the BayArena will impress Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann enough to include him in his World Cup squad.

"It's my goal to be there," Nowotny told German television.

"It is the dream of every footballer to play in the World Cup in your own country and it's certainly no different for me."

Nowotny won the last of his 45 caps back in the European Championship in Portugal two years ago, and he is desperate to get back in the international fold when Germany host the World Cup this summer.