Germany
Everybody knows that when a World Cup rolls around on the calendar, Klose hits close to unplayable form.
The former Werder Bremen striker earned an eventual move to German giants Bayern Munich after finishing as top scorer at the 2006 finals, having finished runner-up to Brazil legend and Golden Boot winner Ronaldo in 2002.
But despite that form, Klose is not guaranteed a starting place in attack for his country after a difficult season in the Bundesliga.
Boss Joachim Low also appears to favour a rotation policy involving the Polish-born forward, club-mate Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski, or a combination of all three.
Klose made his full debut for Kaiserslautern at the relatively late age of 22, but forced himself into the Germany set-up within six months by sheer weight of goals.
Since then his natural striking instincts have ensured he has remained on the international stage and, although he has lost a yard or two of pace which has forced him to slightly adapt his game, he remains a master predator to beware.
A hat-trick in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Finland in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup issued a reminder of Klose's lethal eye for goal.
