Friday 20 March 2015 13:52, UK
Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan and Bayern Munich’s Holger Badstuber have been recalled to the German national squad after lengthy injury-induced absences.
Gundogan, who has not played for Germany since August 2013 due to a year-long back injury, and Badstuber, who returns for the first time since 2012, were named in Joachim Low’s 23-man squad for the forthcoming friendly with Australia and Euro 2016 qualifier with Georgia.
Gundogan made his long-awaited Dortmund comeback in October and has been the lynchpin in their recent revival, which has seen Jurgen Klopp's side go six league games unbeaten and climb from bottom to 10th in the Bundesliga.
Badstuber, who has recently returned to club action, last appeared for Germany back to October 2012 before consecutive ligament and muscle injuries ruled him out for more than two years.
"Both of them have a long, painful periods behind them which luckily are now gone," said Germany manager Low.
"I was moved to see them play football again and was impressed by how quickly they reached their top level again."
National captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is also back for the first time since the World Cup final, while Mesut Ozil and Marco Reus, who missed the last set of qualifiers through injury, also makes a return.
Low also kept faith in out-of-form Arsenal winger Lukas Podolski, who has got little playing time since his move to Inter Milan on loan.
The world champions sit second in qualifying Group D after claiming seven points from four games.
"The situation in the group is a bit unusual for us but not a problem," Low added. "Our senses are now sharper now and we know we have a challenge ahead of us. We cannot allow ourselves any more slip ups."
