Bellarabi makes DFB squad

Bayer Leverkusen's Karim Bellarabi has been called up to the German national team for the first time for this month's double-header against Poland and Republic of Ireland.

The 24-year-old has made an impressive start to the league season after spending last season on loan at relegated Eintracht Braunschweig. Under new head coach Roger Schmidt, Bellarabi has netted twice in his first six matches, while also assisting three of Leverkusen's league goals.

"Karim Bellarabi has earned his chance at his club with some excellent performances," Germany head coach Joachim Löw said. "He is incredibly strong in one-on-one situations and is an excellent alternative in our campaign."

Borussia Mönchengladbach's Max Kruse returns to the fold with several regular internationals still unavailable through injury. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Marco Reus and Mario Gomez are ruled out for the fixtures which will take place on October 11 and 14.

Löw added: "We must be aware that even for the world champions qualification for the European Championships is not automatic. I have great confidence in every individual we have and in the quality of my team."

Germany began the 2016 UEFA European Championships qualifying campaign positively, beating Scotland 2-1 last month. Löw's side will also meet Gibraltar in Nuremberg next month.

Full Germany squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Dortmund), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Shrokdan Mustafi (Valencia), Antonio Rüdiger (Stuttgart), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim)

Midfielders: Karim Bellarabi (Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Christoph Kramer (Gladbach), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Özil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Andre Schürrle (Chelsea)

Forwards: Mario Götze (Bayern Munich), Max Kruse (Gladbach)