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Ilkay Gundogan back in Germany squad after 330 days out

Ilkay Gundogan has returned to the Germany squad after nearly a year out through injury for the World Cup qualifiers against Czech Republic and Northern Ireland.

Gundogan, 25, last played for Germany in a friendly against France on Nov. 13, the night of attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

The Manchester City midfielder has suffered a number of injures since then and was ruled out of Euro 2016 in France as a result.

Wolfsburg striker Mario Gomez and Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng are also back in the Germany squad after picking up injuries at Euro 2016.

Germany, who began their defence of the World Cup with a 3-0 qualifying win in Norway earlier this month, next face Czech Republic in Hamburg on Oct. 8 and Northern Ireland three days later in Hannover.

"These two home matches are very important for us," Germany coach Joachim Low told reporters. "We started well in Norway and we wanted to win the next matches and maintain the lead in our group."

After Czech Republic's early exit at Euro 2016, they are rebuilding under new coach Karel Jarolim.

"They are going to be particularly motivated against us and we have to be very focused from the start," Low said.

Germany squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona).

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim).

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Wolfsburg), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund).

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Wolfsburg), Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Volland (Bayer Leverkusen).