Michael Ballack has been included in Germany's 20-man squad for their first two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Ireland and San Marino.
Ballack is yet to make his Premiership debut for Chelsea because of a hip injury which has kept him sidelined for the last 10 days.
Centre-back Christoph Metzelder has also been selected, despite his knee problems, with coach Joachim Low hoping both players will be fit in time.
'Those two players are very important for us,' said Low.
'We expect Michael Ballack to return to practice now. I have spoken to Christoph Metzelder and he will also be back in training early next week.'
Malik Fathi and Manuel Friedrich, who were both given debuts in the convincing 3-0 victory over Sweden last week, have also been included in the squad.
Lows troops take on Ireland on September 2 before facing San Marino four days later.
Squad: Timo Hildebrand (Stuttgart), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal); Malik Fathi, Arne Friedrich (both Hertha Berlin), Manuel Friedrich (Mainz), Marcell Jansen (Borussia Monchengladbach), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Christoph Metzelder (Borussia Dortmund); Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Tim Borowski, Torsten Frings (both Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), David Odonkor (Borussia Dortmund), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich); Gerald Asamoah (Schalke), Mike Hanke (Wolfsburg), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Monchengladbach), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich).
