Germany waiting on Lahm, Neuer for Armenia friendly

BERLIN, June 5 (AFP): Germany host Armenia Friday in their final World Cup warm-up match before flying to Brazil with question marks over the fitness of captain Philipp Lahm and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Right-back Lahm (ankle) and Neuer (shoulder) have both been unable to play since picking up injuries playing for Bayern Munich in the German Cup final three weeks ago and are still rated as 'doubtful' for the match in Mainz.

Germany's vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is expected to be fit despite also receiving intensive treatment for tendinitis of the knee.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff has said the trio should all be fit for Germany's opening World Cup match against Portugal in Salvador on June 16 in Group G.

After Germany were held to a 2-2 draw by Cameroon last Sunday in Moenchengladbach, head coach Joachim Loew wants improvements in their passing game.

Loew admitted his chief play-maker Mesut Ozil did not have "one of his best days" against Cameroon and pressure is on the Arsenal star to perform.

Ozil, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid at the start of the season, has suffered a drop in form recently having suffered a hamstring injury.

Ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack says Ozil "looks lost" on occasion and is concerned whether the 25-year-old will recapture his form before the World Cup.