Germany striker Timo Werner believes the world champions are firm favourites to defend their FIFA World Cup title in Russia this summer.

The RB Leipzig forward has been named in Joachim Löw’s preliminary 27-man squad for the summer’s tournament following a campaign that saw him net 21 goals in 45 competitive club appearances.

Speaking to local broadcaster MDR, the 22-year-old insisted, “We’re absolutely favourites. I don’t know by how much, but we definitely are.”

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Despite his young years, Werner already possesses a wealth of experience and has now become Germany’s first choice striker, ahead of Mario Gomez, Nils Petersen and Sandro Wagner.

Watch: Werner, the heir to Gomez's throne

The youngest player in history to reach 100 and 150 Bundesliga appearances, Werner has a remarkable record of seven goals in 12 games for Germany, including winning the Golden Boot at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup where Germany again prevailed.

And Werner is already itching to get going again in Russia following the end of the 2017/18 Bundesliga season. “We’ve got big things planned this summer. I’m really looking forward to the World Cup. It can’t come soon enough.”

The striker does not have too long to wait though. Germany have two pre-tournament friendlies against Austria (2 June) and Saudi Arabia (9 June) before kicking off their title defence against Mexico in Moscow in just over a month on 17 June.

Click here for all you need to know on Germany's World Cup campaign!