Ilkay Gundogan will return for Germany after nearly a year out with various injuries for World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland. <br /> <br />The Manchester City midfielder last played for Germany in a friendly against France on Nov. 13, the night of multiple attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. <br /> <br />Gundogan missed the European Championship in France. <br /> <br />Striker Mario Gomez and defender Jerome Boateng are also back after injuries at the European Championship. <br /> <br />Germany began the defense of its World Cup title with a 3-0 win in Norway. The team plays the Czechs in Hamburg on Oct. 8 and Northern Ireland three days later in Hannover. <br /> <br />Germany is the favorite to win Group C and qualify directly for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
