By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Neuer not certain to start for Germany when he returns from injury, says Flick

Manuel Neuer will have to prove himself again when he returns from injury to get back in goal for Germany and captain his country, says Hansi Flick.
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Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0
Germany coach Hansi Flick has refused to guarantee that Manuel Neuer will automatically come back in goal and captain his country once he recovers from the long-term injury that has sidelined him since January.

"We will decide that when the time comes," Flick said in an interview with the FAZ.

"Manuel Neuer has shaped goalkeeping for well over 10 years. He's exceptional as a goalkeeper and as a person. But he must - and he knows it - bring his performances.

Flick added that he's backing the goalkeeper to get back to the level he was playing at before his injury.

"Things are going well for 'Manu'. We met briefly in Munich at the Bayern vs. He's a little ahead of schedule. I'm convinced that when he's fit again he'll be back to his old level."

With Neuer sidelined, Flick has called up Marc-André ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno for the upcoming games against Ukraine, Poland and Colombia.

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