International friendlies: Mario Gotze, Ilkay Gundogan named in Germany squad for England and France games

Berlin: Mario Gotze and Ilkay Gundogan were named in the Germany squad on Friday for their upcoming friendlies against England and France, almost a year after their last appearances for the world champions.

Attacking midfielder Gotze, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final, had been out since March with a metabolic disorder while Gundogan only recently returned following a knee ligament injury suffered late last year while playing for Manchester City.

“Mario Gotze and Ilkay Gundogan have stabilised themselves after their forced absence,” coach Joachim Loew said in a statement.

“They play key roles for their clubs and have found their stride. They have already shown how important they are for any team when they are fit. We are delighted to have them back with us.”

Loew also called up RB Leipzig defender Marcel Halstenberg among his squad of 25 that includes 16 players who helped Germany win this year’s Confederations Cup.

Competition for a spot in the World Cup squad is already fierce with more than three dozen players being serious contenders.

The Germans, who qualified top of their group for next year’s tournament in Russia with ten wins out of ten, take on England at Wembley on 10 November before hosting France in Cologne four days later.