BERLIN – World Cup final match-winner Mario Goetze was recalled to coach Joachim Loew’s Germany squad on Friday for friendlies against England and France.
Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundiogan, also a World Cup winner from Brazil in 2014, likewise makes his return to the fold, the two having not played for Germany for almost a year.
“They have recovered from their long (injury) breaks. They’re once again playing a key role for their respective clubs and have rediscovered their rhythm,” said Loew.
With the likes of stalwarts Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller and Marco Reus missing through injury, Loew has given Leipzig’s Marcel Halstenberg a first call-up at the age of 26.
Having topped their 2018 World Cup qualifying group with a perfect 10 wins from 10, Germany have a tough programme of friendlies before heading to Russia.
They play England at Wembley on November 10, before hosting France in Cologne four days later.
In March, they will then play Spain and Brazil.
German Squad
Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona/ESP), Kevin Trapp (Paris SG/FRA)
Defence: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea/ENG), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich).
Midfield: Emre Can (Liverpool/ENG), Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City/ENG), Sami Khedira (Juventus/ITA), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/ESP), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal/ENG), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Manchester City/ENG), Sandro Wagner (1899 Hoffenheim), Amin Younes (Ajax/NED)
Forwards: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris SG/FRA), Lars Stindl (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)