Japan coach Zico has recalled German-based striker Naohiro Takahara and Feyenoord midfielder Shinji Ono for the Asian champions' upcoming World Cup qualifier away to India.
Takahara and Ono were among a host of key members that missed the Asian Cup Japan successfully defended in China earlier this month, while Yokohama F. Marinos striker Tatsuhiko Kubo was also named Wednesday to a 23-man squad for the Group 3 match in Calcutta on Sept. 8.
Takahara, who has recently recovered from a deep vein thrombosis relapse, was selected to play for the Japan Olympic team as an "overage" player at the Athens Games.
But the Japan Football Association decided at the 11th hour not to take the Hamburg SV forward to Greece after doctors warned of the negative impact playing at the Olympic tournament may have on his health.
"Takahara is in good enough physical condition now. I've watched him play in Germany and he has got his rhythm back and has a strong desire to return to international action," said Zico.
Ono, who won his last cap in the 7-0 thrashing of India in Saitama in June, played in Athens but Japan lost their first two group-stage matches against Paraguay and Italy and were eliminated.
Kubo returns after recovering from a knee problem, while Reggina midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura and Messina striker Atsushi Yanagisawa were also included.
Italian-based midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata (groin) and Asian Cup hero Keiji Tamada of Kashiwa Reysol (knee) both miss out through injury.
The team will hold a training camp in Chiba Prefecture from Tuesday and will arrive in India on the eve of the match.