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The 25-year-old Manchester City player, who also missed the
2014 World Cup through injury, last played for Germany in a
friendly in Paris in November.
Forward Mario Gomez and central defender Jerome Boateng were
also recalled to the squad having recovered from injuries picked
up at Euro 2016.
Midfielder Sebastian Rudy was also included after the
26-year-old narrowly missed the cut for the Euro 2016 squad.
Germany, who won their qualifying Group C opener against Norway
3-0 this month, take on the Czech Republic in Hamburg on Oct. 8
before hosting Northern Ireland in Hanover three days later.
"Both these home games are extremely important for us," said
coach Joachim Loew. "After having started well against Norway we
want to also win these two games in order to take control of the
group.
"The players, belonging to our core, have rediscovered their
playing rhythm in recent weeks both on club level and
internationally and we will count on those players. They know
what is expected at this stage."
Azerbaijan are second in the group, also on three points. The
Czechs are on one along with Northern Ireland. San Marino and
Norway have yet to earn a point. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann,
editing by Ed Osmond)
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