Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth has returned to England after his hopes of getting back into the Germany side were dashed by an ankle injury.

Capped 17 times as a Chelsea player before joining Boro in 2006, Huth has struggled with injury and form since his last international at the 2006 World Cup.

However, the 23-year-old was called up by coach Joachim Loew for Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland after some good performances in the Premier League.

Huth was examined by German FA doctors on Sunday upon his arrival at the Germany training camp in Basel before a decision not to let him play was made on Monday.

He will not be replaced in a squad now down to 20 players as Germany prepare for Euro 2008, which Switzerland is co-hosting with Austria in June.

Reuters