Another former Toon player, Michael O'Neill, was named as Northern Ireland manager last month and he picked his first squad on Monday morning, with former captain Hughes the standout name in a party of 24.
O'Neill takes charge of the side for the first time on February 29 when Norway visit Windsor Park and he will have Fulham centre-back Hughes at his disposal less than six months after he announced his decision to end his international career at the end of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Shane Ferguson - the Newcastle defender once thought to be considering switching his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland - is also included.