Bastian Schweinsteiger was recalled Friday by Germany coach Joachim Loew for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden.
The Bayern Munich midfielder is back in the national fray for the first time since Euro 2012 after recovering from injury.
The 28-year-old missed the friendly defeat to Argentina in August, then the qualifier wins over Faroe Islands and Austria, with an ankle injury.
"We did not pick him deliberately so that he could regain his morale and rhythm. His performances with Bayern have shown that that was the correct decision," said Loew.
Missing from the list though was Julian Draxler, who picked up an injury in his club Schalke 04's 2-2 Champions League draw with Montpellier on Tuesday.
Miroslav Klose may be the sole out and out striker but Loew will also be counting on firepower coming from Arsenal's Lukas Podolski and in-form Marcus Reus of Borussia Dortmund.
A question mark surrounds the participation of defensive midfielder Ilkay Gundogan who suffered a back injury in Dortmund's 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Wednesday.
Germany face Ireland in Dublin on October 12 and Sweden at Berlin's Olympic Stadium four days later.
Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Moenchengladbach)
Defenders: Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke 04), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal/ENG)
Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Mario Gotze, Ilkay Gundogan, Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid/ESP), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid/ESP), Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal/ENG), Andre Schürrle (Bayer Leverkusen)
Striker: Miroslav Klose (Roma/ITA)
Source: AFP
