Barsinghausen (Germany), Sep 8 (DPA) Rene Adler retains his place in goal for Germany's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Hanover Wednesday, coach Joachim Loew said Tuesday.

The Bayer Leverkusen keeper got the nod over Schalke's Manuel Neuer after Robert Enke pulled out Monday with an infection.

The Hanover keeper, who is seen as first choice, has left the squad ahead of the Group 4 match. Adler did much to stake his claim for a place in the side with a fine performance in Saturday's 2-0 win over South Africa in a friendly.

'Rene had a very good game against South Africa,' Loew said.

VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez is meanwhile expected to be fit after a knee scare, while Werder Bremen's Mesut Ozil, who impressed on Saturday, is a certain starter.