Hamburg - Former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann expects a tough fight for places in the team's starting 11 at the 2010 World Cup with some friction involving captain Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings simply part of the game.

"This development will continue until the World Cup and I am quite intrigued to see how many players from the Euro (2008) final will be in the starting line-up in the first World Cup match," Klinsmann told the website of the German football federation.

"Young players are moving ahead, the experienced players want to defend their place. Occasional friction is natural like recently with Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack."

Klinsmann coached Germany to third place at the 2006 home World Cup before handing over the reigns to assistant Joachim Loew, who guided Germany to the Euro 2008 final and is now reshuffling the team during the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Stalwarts Ballack and Frings, the latter benched for two matches, were critical of Loew's changes and eventually had to apologize.

But Klinsmann spoke of a "new definition" of the team which was natural between big tournaments, a praised Loew's work.

"Jogi Loew is doing a very good job. He has integrated several talents and the team is doing well (as group leader) in World Cup qualifying," said Klinsmann. (dpa)