Jurgen Klinsmann is counting on Bayer Leverkusen veteran Jens Nowotny to give his youthful defence some much-needed stability during the World Cup.
The 32-year-old was a surprise call-up to the national team after suffering his fourth anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier this year.
He saw his first international action since Euro 2004 in the second half of last night's 2-2 draw against Japan, who torched the German back-line and created a flurry of chances.
Nowotny could have done better for each of Japan's goals, but Klinsmann was full of praise for the veteran.
'He did very well and he knows that we hold him in high esteem,' he said.
'He plays a major role in our plans because he has so much experience and can read the game.'
Youngsters Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder are widely considered Klinsmann's first-choice central defenders, with Chelsea's Robert Huth also in contention.
But Klinsmann insists the presence of Nowotny in the German camp and on the training field will have a positive effect on the rest of the squad.
'No matter whether Jens will be playing or not, we all know about his importance for the team,' added Klinsmann.
'We are very happy that he is here with us.'
Nowotny has already begun offering his advice, admitting there is plenty of room for improvement.
'Today there was light and shadow in our performance,' he said.
'We need to address those things internally and improve the timing.'
Klinsmann played midfielder Bernd Schneider at right-back after Hertha Berlin skipper Arne Friedrich failed to impress in the 7-0 victory over Luxembourg.
'We needed to create room in midfield for Tim Borowski,' explained Klinsmann. 'Schneider is very versatile. We are currently looking at all our options.'
