Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff has insisted that Stefan Kiessling still has an international future.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward finished as the Bundesliga's top scorer last season, but has not earned a Germany cap in over three years.
He has six caps without a goal in total, and again missed out this week for Wednesday's friendly with Portugal.
"It always hurts to see players making a name for themselves, but not really making the step into the national team," Bierhoff told Sky.
"During my time, that was Martin Max. Joachim Low has said that all of the doors are open and it's up to the player to force his way in."
Kiessling scored in Leverkusen's win over Freiburg yesterday.