Germany recalls Reus, but rest Boateng and Ter Stegen

Marco Reus has been recalled by Germany with Joachim Low opting to rest both Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jerome Boateng for the upcoming Nations League clash with Netherlands.

Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen is left out to recover from a minor shoulder injury, while Boateng is omitted so the defender can train with his club during the international break.

Germany has lost two of its three League A Group 1 meetings so far and face relegation from the section, a poor campaign in the inaugural UEFA tournament following its dismal World Cup title defence in Russia.

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Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos is in the squad to face Netherlands on November 19 in Gelsenkirchen, but will not be involved in a friendly against Russia four days earlier.

Bayern Munich centre-back Boateng explained the decision for him to be left out of the squad was taken following discussions with Germany coach Low.

"After a very good and trusting conversation with the national coach, after a hard year for the two upcoming internationals I get a break to continue to work on my fitness in Munich. I wish my team all the best for the games against Russia and the Netherlands. Thanks to the national coach!," Boateng wrote on Twitter.

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And, Bayern boss Niko Kovac suggested the omission of Boateng - a World Cup winner in 2014 with Germany - should not be taken as a sign that the 30-year-old's international future is over.

"That's the decision of the Germany coach. Not fielding Jerome is a novelty, but it doesn't mean he won't play for them again in the future. He has the chance to train for us in the international break," Kovac told a news conference.

"He's done very well recently and I see no need to talk about this or assume it will be the end of his time in the international team. Joachim Low told me and I'm sure he will tell Jerome [the reasons why he was not selected]."

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Reus' recall comes after his fine form led Borussia Dortmund to top spot in the Bundesliga ahead of its Klassiker clash at home to Bayern.

The 29-year-old has scored six Bundesliga goals, with Dortmund four points clear of Bayern going into Saturday's game at Signal Iduna Park.