Werner called up by Germany for Podolski farewell

RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner has won a maiden Germany call-up for the world champions' matches against England and Azerbaijan.

The friendly against England in Dortmund will mark an international farewell for long-serving forward Lukas Podolski, who will make his 130th and final appearance for Die Mannschaft.

Roma defender Antonio Rudiger is back in the fold for the first time since a knee ligament injury ruled him out of Euro 2016, while Leroy Sane's impressive displays on the left wing for Manchester City mean he is promoted from the Under-21s once more.

After facing England next Wednesday, Germany travel to face Azerbaijan four days later, who they lead by five points at the top of Group C in the battle to reach Russia 2018.

 

Germany squad in full:

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

Defenders: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Antonio Rudiger (Roma), Niklas Sule (Hoffenheim), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim)

Midfielders: Sami Khedira (Juventus), Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Emre Can (Liverpool), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund), Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Andre Schurrle (Borussia Dortmund), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Manchester City), Mario Gomez (Wolfsburg), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)