"It is unnecessary to really think about it," Koepke told the Stuttgart Zeitung. "It would send out the wrong signal to our younger goalkeepers."

Lehmann, who has just extended his contract with VFB Stuttgart till 2010, won 61 caps with the three-time world champions.

His last participation with Germany was against Spain in the Euro 2008 final, which the latter deservedly won 1-0 in Vienna.

The 39-year-old announced his international retirement later in August.