Low still hopeful over Schweini

Germany boss Joachim Low says he is still hopeful that Bastian Schweinsteiger will be fit in time to play at Euro 2016.

The midfielder has endured an injury-ravaged first season at Manchester United and is a major doubt for this summer’s tournament after suffering a partial tear of his knee ligaments while on international duty last month.

However, Low has until the end of May to make a final decision on whether to select his captain, whose experience could prove crucial as Die Mannschaft go looking to back up their success at the 2014 World Cup with a first European Championship win since 1996.

With 114 caps to his name, Schweinsteiger has been a key player for his country since making his debut in 2004 and has previously been described as the “brain” of the German team by the manager.

The 56-year-old says he is receiving regular updates on his skipper and remains hopeful he will return to full fitness.

“Right now, I still have hope he (Schweinsteiger) will make it in time for the start of the European Championship in France,” Low told Eurosport.

“We’ve got to take it week by week and talk to him about it. He’s keeping me informed as to how far he is, and we just have to see how quickly he recovers from it.”

Germany are the current 4.50 second favourites to win Euro 2016 behind hosts France (4.00).

Die Mannschaft open their campaign against Ukraine on June 12, a game they are 1.50 to win, with the draw 3.75 and their opponents the 6.00 outsiders.