Pogatetz returns for hosts

The Middlesbrough player was called up to an 18-man squad after patching up his differences with coach Josef Hickersberger at the end of last year.

Pogatetz was axed from the Austria set-up in September 2006 after publicly criticising Hickersberger.

The coach confirmed in November that the player would return to the side after a two-match suspension for Austria's final two friendlies of 2007 against England and Tunisia.

Hickersberger has also called up midfielder Thomas Prager and striker Roland Linz, who were dropped after disappointing performances in a friendly tournament in September.

Austria qualified automatically for Euro 2008 as tournament co-hosts along with neighbouring Switzerland but their preparations have been hampered by desperately poor form.

Hickersberger's men won just one of 12 friendlies last year - prompting one group of supporters to launch a petition urging the team to surrender their place at this year's tournament.

The February 6 meeting with Germany should give the Austrians some idea of the task ahead of them, with the two sides also due to face each other at Euro 2008.

Austria and Germany are in Group B with Croatia and Poland and will meet in the last of their group matches.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Alex Manninger (Siena), Helge Payer (Rapid Vienna)

Defenders: Christian Fuchs (Mattersburg), Gyorgy Garics (Napoli), Andreas Ibertsberger (Freiburg), Emanuel Pogatetz (Middlesbrough), Sebastian Proedl (Sturm Graz), Martin Stranzl (Spartak Moscow)

Midfielders: Rene Aufhauser (Red Bull Salzburg), Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos), Veli Kavlak (Rapid Vienna), Christoph Leitgeb (Salzburg), Thomas Prager (Heerenveen), Juergen Saeumel (Sturm Graz), Joachim Standfest (Austria Vienna)

Forwards: Martin Harnik (Werder Bremen) Roman Kienast (Ham-Kam), Roland Linz (Braga)