Gomez, Kroos added to Germany squad

Mario Gomez and Toni Kroos return to Germany’s squad for their European Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan on March 26.

The Bayern Munich duo missed Germany’s 1-1 friendly draw against Italy in February through injury.

Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese is also back in the squad, as is Mainz striker Andre Schurrle, who earns a second call up after making his first international appearance against Sweden in November.

“Since Andre has been playing consistently well this season and has impressed a lot in recent games, he is joining us again,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

“He has been given the nod ahead of Marko Marin and Kevin Grosskreutz, who still play a part in our thoughts. We now have many alternatives for many positions.”

Germany, who top qualification Group A with 12 points, take on winless Kazakhstan at Munich’s Allianz Arena, before a friendly match against Australia on March 29.

“We want to get another win in the European Championship qualifying against Kazakhstan to consolidate our lead at the top of the table and our excellent position,” Loew said.

“The clash with Australia, who played well in the Asian Cup at the start of the year and only lost in the final to Japan, is an attractive match.”

“I would like to use this game to test one or two young players and give those players who have been playing a lot recently a rest.”

Germany squad: Goalkeeper: Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen).

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburg), Jerome Boateng (Manchester City), Arne Friedrich (Wolfsburg), Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer (both Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm, Holger Badstuber (both Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen).

Midfielders: Christian Trasch (Stuttgart), Sven Bender, Mario Gotze (both Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil (both Real Madrid), Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger (all Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Andre Schurrle (Mainz), Lukas Podolski (Cologne), Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose (both Bayern Munich).