Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva says he is "anxious" to return to international duty with Brazil after a 15-month absence.
Silva, 32, has been called up by new Selecao coach Tite for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela -- his first inclusion in the squad since falling out of favour with former boss Dunga following the ill-fated 2015 Copa America campaign.
"One year and three months without playing for the national team was tough for me," Silva told reporters after PSG's 2-0 win over Bordeaux on Saturday. "I am anxious to return.
"I will rest a little before leaving for Brazil on Monday. It is a bit like the first time all over again. Almost like the first day of school. The only difference is I do not need to sing in front of the group."
A hip injury picked up by Silva during preseason ruled him out of Tite's first squad for the qualifying wins over Ecuador and Colombia.
But after being included in the group to face Bolivia and Venezuela, attention will now turn to whether he is reinstated as captain or not.
Dunga, who made Neymar the new skipper, controversially stripped Silva of the armband shortly after taking over from Luiz Felipe Scolari after the 2014 World Cup.
Neymar stepped down from the role after leading Brazil to Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro this summer, with Miranda then being appointed captain for the initial games against Ecuador and Colombia.