Schweinsteiger wants Germany to match Spain

Low is set to decide whether to risk Mario Gomez, who has played infrequently for Bayern Munich since his return from injury, or employ Mario Gotze up front.

The possibility of selecting Gotze, on a fast-paced pitch which may suit his pace, has raised comparisons with world champion Spain's style of using a 'false nine' up front.

"I consider it an honour to be compared with Spain," Schweinsteiger said at a press conference on Wendesday.

"They play almost perfect. Eventually, we might even be able to replicate it.

"The coach sees exactly which tactics are appropriate and we are generally at a very high level."

Germany will also have to overcome the artificial pitch at the Astana Arena.

Team doctor Tim Meyer played down any fears an aritifical pitch could cause injury, with the return match against the Kazakhs in Nuremberg four days later.

Midfielders Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger have been passed fit after training on Wednesday and Meyer said the playing surface would not prevent others from taking their place.

"The ground is harder but FIFA studies have shown there is no increased risk of injury," he said.

"Rather it is smaller than if the players remained on natural grass."

Low's side will make the 2,600-mile journey to Astana, which is five hours ahead, with an unorthodox approach to their preparation.

Germany's players were told not to wind their watches forward to help acclimatise for their World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan on Friday night.

Meyer revealed that the squad would "remain on German time" in a bid to avoid jet-lag from the long-haul flight.

The entire Germany team will therefore eat and sleep at the same times they would at home before going to bed in the middle of the night.

It is a technique that has been accommodated by Friday's midnight kick-off (1900 German time) as Low's team look to increase their three-point lead at the top of Group C.

"When we get to Kazakhstan there is a time shift of five hours. The rule of thumb is that it should take five days to accommodate this time difference," Meyer said.

"We have two options. One would be to arrive in time to acclimatise. This is out of the question because we do not have enough time to do this.

"The other is to remain in our own time - our watches remain on German time.

"All of our daily activities such as sleeping and eating will remain in the usual rhythm.

"This is something that you could do for one, maybe two, days before your body would start to become confused."