Injured Schweinsteiger makes Germany's provisional Euro 2016 squad

A partially torn MCL isn't going to stop Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger from getting on the plane to France this summer, it seems.

The Manchester United midfielder, 31, was one of 27 men included on the reigning world champion's provisional squad for Euro 2016, despite the fact that he is still recovering from the knee injury he suffered while playing for Die Mannschaft in March.

Related: Joachim Low admits to Germany's injury concerns for Euro 2016

The veteran was joined by a trio of surprise inclusions, as youngsters Julian Weigl of Borussia Dortmund, Julian Brandt of Bayer Leverkusen and Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich all made the initial list.

The young midfielders have all been rewarded with their first Germany call-ups after breakthrough seasons with their respective clubs. Leroy Sane of Schalke was also picked again after making his debut in the friendly against France in Paris on Nov. 13.

"We're fully convinced of each one. I've no tendency toward striking anyone out," Loew said at the presentation at the French embassy in Berlin.

Loew, who picked 14 World Cup winners in the squad, will need to whittle down his selection to 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers by May 31.

Despite an underwhelming season at Galatasaray, Lukas Podolski was initially picked for what could be his seventh consecutive tournament. The 30-year-old Podolski has made 127 appearances for Germany.

"'Besides the sporting worth, the personality of the players is important," Loew said. "It's something special at a tournament, it's about more than just playing football, it's about the team. This has helped us before, when players drop out, Ilkay Gundogan for example, that they can be replaced. The collective is more important than the individual player."

Gundogan, a Borussia Dortmund midfielder, is out with a knee injury, while Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Christoph Kramer missed out after a poor season. Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose all retired after Germany's World Cup win in 2014.

Besiktas forward Mario Gomez is back in the squad after missing out on the World Cup win. The 30-year-old Gomez helped Besiktas to the Turkish title with 26 goals and will most likely be playing at his third European Championship after 2008 and 2012.

The full 27-man squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Emre Can (Liverpool), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund/Bayern Munich), Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim), Antonio Ruediger (Roma)

Midfielders: Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Wolfsburg), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Leroy Sane (Schalke), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Manchester United), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Mario Gomez (Besiktas), Andre Schuerrle (Wolfsburg), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray)

Germany, slotted in Group C, will open its tournament against Ukraine in Lille on June 12.

"We are confident but not arrogant. We are strong but not unbeatable," Loew said with a view to the tournament.