By Barry Whelan, dpa
Berlin (dpa) – Ilkay Guendogan is back in Germany’s squad for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers after returning from injury.
The midfielder, who moved to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund ahead of the season, missed Euro 2016 and last played for Germany against France in Paris on November 13,
The world champions, who began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Norway in Oslo, take on the Czech Republic in Hamburg on October 8 and then play Northern Ireland in Hanover three days later in Group C matches.
Also back following injuries in a 22-man squad named by coach Joachim Loew on Friday are central defender Jerome Boateng and striker Mario Gomez.
Loew has also called up Hoffenheim’s midfielder/defender Sebastian Rudy, who was left out of the Euro 2016 squad.
Both Boateng and Gomez had been out of the squad so far this season after picking up muscle injuries at Euro 2016.
Loew has left out defenders Jonathan Tah, Niklas Suele und Leroy Sane, who will join the Under-21 squad, while Borussia Dortmund midfielder Andre Schuerrle is sidelined with a knee injury.
«These two home games are very important for us,» Loew said on the German football federation DFB website.
«After starting well in qualifying against Norway we want to win these next two games and stay top of our group.
«In particular the players who belong to our core have regained their rhythm nationally and internationally. In the current phase we are calling on these players; they know what we expect of them.
«We want to build on the performance we have shown in Oslo. I am particularly pleased that Ilkay Guendogan, Jerome Boateng and Mario Gomez are back. Sebastian Rudy is also a player of whom we have never lost sight.»
The Czech Republic and Northern Ireland finished goalless against each other in their opening qualifying game.
Loew said of the Czech Republic «Although the Czech team was eliminated at the European Championship after the first round, in my view they showed strong performances in particular against Spain and Croatia.
«After the Euros, there has been a change, the team has a new coach (Karel Jarolim), and new, young players have been added. Such a process can liberate energies. The Czechs will be especially motivated against us. So we have to be highly concentrated from the beginning.»
Germany defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 in their last match of the group stage at Euro 2016 in France, thanks to a goal by Gomez.
«The Northern Ireland team stands for passion; the players have a great fighting spirit,» Loew said.
«Most of their Euro squad will be in Hanover – we know therefore what to expect.»
Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim)
Midfielders: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund), Mesut Oezil (Arsenal), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Julian Draxler (VfL Wolfsburg), Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Ilkay Guendogan (Manchester City)
Forwards: Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Volland (Bayer Leverkusen), Mario Gomez (Vfl Wolfsburg)
