Miroslav Klose 's withdrawal from the Germany squad to face France on Wednesday, coupled with Joachim Low's decision not to call up a recognised striker in his place, brings with it a rare guarantee - that Mario Gomez will start a match.
Just 12 months ago, it seemed inconceivable that the Bayern Munich star would find himself frozen out of the first team at the Allianz Arena, indeed, he would have undoubtedly welcomed the signing of Mario Mandzukic at the club in order to take some of the considerable strain off his shoulders.