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Germany have been boosted ahead of the crucial Group B match against Austria with the news that Lukas Podolski and Philipp Lahm will be fit to start.

Podolski (ankle) and Lahm (calf) take part but Marcell Jansen (shoulder) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (suspension) will miss a game Germany must not lose.

Austria need a win to stand any chance of progressing but are without their suspended centre-back Sebastian Proedl.

Proedl could be replaced by Martin Hiden, who would win his 50th cap.

Austria coach Josef Hickersberger is likely to desploy Rene Aufhauser to mark Germany playmaker Michael Ballack.

Victory for the co-hosts would see them reach the quarter-finals if Poland fail to beat Croatia in the group's other match.

Austria famously beat, and eliminated, Germany at the same stage of the 1978 World Cup but the Germans only need a point to make the last eight.

Schweinsteiger was sent off for pushing Jerko Leko during their 2-1 defeat by Croatia on Thursday, while Podolski damaged an ankle and Lahm hurt his calf in the same match.

Podolski, scorer of all three of Germany's goals so far, is expected to partner Miroslav Klose, with Mario Gomez tipped to lose his place after two unconvincing displays.

Clemens Fritz is likely drop back from midfield to right-back to cover the absence of Jansen, with Lahm moving over to the left.

Thomas Hitzlsperger or Tim Borowski could then come into midfield.

Head-to-heads

Austria and Germany have met 34 times before, with Germany winning 20 times to Austria's eight. In 11 competitive matches, Germany have emerged victorious eight times and Austria just twice.

Germany have won the last four meetings, all friendlies. Their most recent encounter, on 6 February 2008, ended in a 3-0 win for Germany.

Team facts - Austria

Will qualify for the quarter-finals with a victory, but only if Poland do not beat Croatia with a bigger winning margin. If Poland and Austria both win, and finish level on goal difference, Poland will progress based on their Uefa country ranking.

Have won just twice in their last 18 matches. They are winless in their last eight matches in the Ernst Happel stadium.

Failure to beat Germany, will see Austria the third host nation to fail to progress from the group phase since the introduction of the knock-out stages in 1984 following Belgium (2000) and Switzerland (2008).

Coach Josef Hickersberger knows how to win against the Germans at a major tournament, as he was part of the Austrian team that beat West Germany 3-2 at the 1978 World Cup.

Team facts - Germany

Need a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Failed to progress from the group stage at both Euro 2000 and Euro 2004. No nation has ever been eliminated in the group stage of three successive European Championship tournaments.

The defeat against Croatia marked only Germany's third defeat in 24 matches under head coach Joachim Low. Since he took over in July 2006, Germany have never lost back-to-back matches.

Two goals short of scoring 50 in European Championship competition.

Player facts - Austria

Ivica Vastic became the oldest goalscorer in the history of this tournament when he converted from the spot in injury time against Poland at the age of 38 years and 257 days.

Vastic and Martin Hiden will both win their 50th caps, if they take the field against Germany.

If selected, defender Martin Stranzl will play on his 28th birthday.

Sebastian Prodl is suspended for this match following cautions in Austria's two previous matches. Umit Korkmaz, Jurgen Saumel and Emanuel Pogatetz are one yellow card shy of a suspension.

Player facts - Germany

Miroslav Klose was credited with two assists in the opening match. With a combined 16 goals and assists at World Cups and European Championships, Klose is the third most prolific German player in history at these tournaments. Only Jurgen Klinsmann (19) and Gerd Muller (18) were involved in more World Cup and European Championship goals.

Kevin Kuranyi will win his 50th cap for Germany if he plays in this match.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended from this match following his dismissal against Croatia. Michael Ballack and Jens Lehmann will be suspended, if booked.

Probable Line Up :

Austria : Macho, Hiden, Stranzl, Pogatetz, Garics, Aufhauser, Ivanschitz, Säumel, Fuchs, Harnik, Linz

Manager : Josef Hickersberger

Germany : Lehmann, Fritz, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Lahm, Borowski, Frings, Ballack, Hitzlsperger, Podolski, Klose

Manager : Joachim Löw

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