Although Miroslav Klose is now only a backup striker at Bayern Munich, he usually gets the nod ahead of Mario Gomez when it comes to playing for Germany.

Gomez is Bayern's leading scorer with 30 goals in 38 games this season. But Klose's long and productive service for Germany has secured his place in coach Joachim Loew's team.

“Mario used his chance very well. There is no reason to put him doubt in the club,” said Klose, who has one goal for Bayern this season. “But that's how it is for me in the national team.”

Klose is getting closer to Gerd Mueller's scoring record for Germany and he should cut the gap again when Germany play Kazakhstan today in qualifying for the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

With 59 goals in 106 games for Germany, Klose is nine goals short of Mueller's record.

“The record is my big target. Maybe it will come at the European Championship,” Klose said.

Germany lead Group A with four wins from four games and anything but a comfortable victory in Kaiserslautern would be a major surprise. Kazakhstan havn't scored a goal or earned a point in qualifying so far.

“With all due respect for Kazakhstan, winning this game shouldn't be a problem for us,” Gomez said.

Klose and Gomez both scored in Germany's 3-0 win in Kazakhstan.

Yesterday, Loew confirmed that Klose will be playing.

Klose will return to Kaiserslautern, where he was playing club football when his international career began 10 years ago.

“It's a sellout. I probably sold half the tickets,” Klose joked. “It will be a good atmosphere.”

Loew has dropped six World Cup players from his squad for the Kazakhstan match and a friendly against Australia on Tuesday as the coach continues to rejuvenate the side — Klose aside.

Germany are also without goalkeeper Rene Adler because of a muscle injury.