Borussia Dortmund defender Metzelder has recovered a from a career-threatening knee injury a few years ago to emerge as a key player for Germany as they bid to win the World Cup on home soil. The 25-year-old made his international debut back in 2001 and played in every game as Germany made it through to the final of the 2002 World Cup, being the perfect foil to man-marker Thomas Linke. His progress after that was checked by knee problems and it wasn't until the latter stages of 2004 that he re-emerged from his nightmare. Metzelder can also slot in at full-back when needed but is likely to be first-choice centre-half for Jurgen Klinsmann this summer.