Hamburg - Midfielder Torsten Frings is the latest Germany player toying with retirement, after being benched in the last two matches because coach Joachim Loew now longer guarantees anyone a place in the starting 11.

"I am really thoughtful, retiring is more and more on my mind," Frings told Friday's edition of the Bild daily.

The 31-year-old from Werder Bremen was a key player in Germany's run to third place at the 2006 World Cup and also played at Euro 2008 where Germany lost the final against Spain.

However, he was fielded only for seven minutes in Saturday's 2-1 win against Russia and not at all on Wednesday when Germany beat Wales 1-0 in another World Cup qualifier.

Frings insisted he was not sulking but named the fact that he wasn't even told to warm up against Wales "a humiliation."

The statements of the 78-times capped Frings come less than a week after Schalke 04 forward Kevin Kuranyi left the team during the Russia game. Kuranyi later apologized but Loew said he wouldn't pick him again as long as he was coach.

Frings told Bild he missed "support, trust and respect" from Loew which led to the retirement considerations.

"I can't rule it out. Of course I am thinking about retirement. Not because I am sulking but because the last days were an eye-opener. ... At almost 32 you have a feeling for it. I can't see a future for myself under him (Loew) right now," Frings said.

Frings has been through several injury setbacks over the past two years but insisted that he was still as good as Thomas Hitzlsperger or Simon Rolfes who have recently played in his place in midfield.

"I hold nothing against Simon Rolfes or Thomas Hitzlsperger. But I also know that they are not better!" he said.

Loew said after the Wales match that he has talked with Frings and wants him for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Confronted with Frings' new statements, Loew said in a DFB statement issued on Friday that he has talked with Frings but that that he picks his players based on present form and not on past merits.

"He continues to have my highest respect, but I can not guarantee him a place in the starting lineup. This is not due to lacking respect, as he sees it, but due to the situation in the team.

"We have always respected Torsten's showings, but, looking ahead at the 2010 World Cup, young players who have done well in the league as well must have an opportunity to play," Loew said. (dpa)