Germany coach Joachim Loew had the luxury of including star striker Mario Gomez in his squad, named on Friday, to face France in a prestige friendly in Paris next Wednesday, as the Bayern Munich striker returns to form after a lengthy absence due to injury.
"After a long injury absence, Mario Gomez has returned to good physical condition and I'm confident in his qualities and experience," said Loew of the striker who has not played for his country since the Euro 2012 semi-final defeat against Italy.
Gomez underwent surgery on a left ankle problem in August and has missed Germany's first four World Cup 2014 qualifiers.
Without him, Loew guided the team to top spot in Group C, with three wins and a draw from four matches leaving them three points clear of Sweden, who have a game in hand.
The 27-year-old has scored 25 goals in 57 appearances for Germany.
Polish-born veteran Miroslav Klose, who has racked up 67 goals at international level, is also in the squad and is set to have a chance to equal Gerd Mueller's German record of 68 goals when the old rivals meet at the Stade de France.
There was no place for Bayer Leverkusen's Stefan Kiessling, who is the Bundesliga's top scorer so far this season with 13 goals.
Loew has included seven players from Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, notably the two attacking midfielders Marco Reus and Mario Goetze.
Germany have not won in France since 1935 when they ran out 3-1 winners at the Parc des Princes.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Rene Adler (Hamburg), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm (both Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer (both Borussia Dortmund), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal/ENG), Heiko Westermann (Hamburg)
Midfielders: Lars Bender, Andre Schuerrle (both Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Mario Goetze, Ilkay Guendogan, Marco Reus (all Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil (both Real Madrid/ESP), Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger (all Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal/ENG)
Forwards: Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Lazio/ITA)
Source: AFP
