Injured Kahn out of Italy friendly

Berlin: Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has been forced to pull out of Wednesday's World Cup warm-up friendly against Italy after failing to overcome a thigh strain, Bayern Munich spokesman Markus Horwick said on Friday.

Kahn was due to start the match ahead of Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann but now Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has called up Stuttgart keeper Timo Hildebrand to his squad to act as Lehmann's understudy for the match in Florence on March 1.

"It's a shame that Oliver had to announce that his injury was worse than originally thought," said Klinsmann, who added the player, if fit, would be the number one keeper for the following match against the USA in Dortmund on March 22.

Kahn broke down with the problem in the warm-up for Tuesday's Champions League tie between Bayern and AC Milan.