The long-serving German coach, who will step down after this summer’s European Championships, is also expected to hand international debuts to Bundesliga youngsters such as Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
He was not the only national team coach who was expecting a selection headache this month, as coronavirus travel restrictions have led many Bundesliga clubs to consider not releasing their players for the international break.
POSSIBLE QUARANTINE
Germany’s 14-day-quarantine rules on travellers from the UK have caused particular headaches, and could see several big name players denied the chance to win caps this month.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham has been called up to the England squad, but national team manager Gareth Southgate said it “did not look like” the 17-year-old would be able to play.
On Thursday, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said the club would not release Bellingham if he had to quarantine on his return “and that led to disadvantages for Borussia Dortmund”.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have a similar headache over star striker Robert Lewandowski, who is in the Poland squad for a game against England in London on 31 March.
If he were forced to quarantine upon returning to Germany, the Polish striker would potentially miss Bayern’s crucial clash with title rivals RB Leipzig on 3 April.
“We will see what the health authorities say and then decide according to what is best for the club,” said Bayern coach Hansi Flick on Wednesday.
Flick also confirmed that Bayern’s Austrian defender David Alaba would not travel to the UK for his country’s clash with Scotland on 25 March.
Fellow Bundesliga Austrians such as Union Berlin captain Christopher Trimmel have also decided to skip the game.