Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger named in Germany squad for Euro 2016

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger looks set to compete at Euro 2016 after featuring in Joachim Low's provisional 27-man squad that was named on Tuesday (17 May) at the French Embassy in Berlin. The 31-year-old, who was appointed captain of his country following their 2014 World Cup triumph and the subsequent retirement of former Bayern Munich teammate Philipp Lahm, was considered doubtful by many having missed the last two months through injury.

Schweinsteiger has made very little impact since arriving at Old Trafford for a reported fee of £6.5m ($9.4m) last summer and was ruled out for the remainder of the domestic season during the last international break after suffering a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament at a training session. That latest blow came just two weeks and four matches after his return from another serious knee problem sustained in an FA Cup victory over Sheffield United in January.

The eight-time Bundesliga winner's inclusion bucks the trend of disappointment for Manchester United midfielders after Morgan Schneiderlin, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera missed out on selection for hosts France and holders Spain respectively. However, teenage sensation Marcus Rashford was included in England's preliminary squad after scoring seven goals in his first 16 senior appearances for the club. He is not expected to make the final cut, despite manager Roy Hodgson stating that he could have a chance to "knock someone off their perch".

Schweinsteiger's call-up means that he will not be afforded the whole summer to rehabilitate his latest injury ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League campaign, which begins in August. Other English-based players in Germany's squad include Liverpool midfielder Emre Can and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil. Veteran forward Mario Gomez is in after notching 28 times for Super Lig champions Besiktas this term, while Julian Brandt, Joshua Kimmich and Julian Weigl will all hope to win their first senior caps.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was among the most notable omissions. Matthias Ginter and Marcel Schmelzer also did not make it, although there was still a place for 127-cap Galatasaray forward Lukas Podolski. Die Mannschaft have been drawn in Group C for Euro 2016 and commence their quest for a fourth title against Mykhaylo Fomenko's Ukraine at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Sunday 12 June. They meet Poland in Paris five days later before finishing the first phase against Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes.