Fuller played two first-class games for Otago in 2009-10 but signed a three-year deal with English county Gloucestershire.
The 22-year-old is in Auckland on a three-month holiday, visiting family, and will fill in for Otago where and when required. He has been playing club cricket for Takapuna and is a very similar player to new Black Cap Jimmy Neesham and should fit in seamlessly.
Dutch professional Ryan ten Doeschate has also been named in the squad. He arrives at Auckland International Airport early on Thursday morning and has been included in the squad.
''We'll see how he is,'' Johnson said when asked if he would make the playing XI.
''It is a pretty big ask to fly in from South Africa and play the next day. He probably won't play but he is in the 13, in case he is up for it."
Ten Doeschate has been contracted to play in the twenty/20 campaign but Johnson would not rule out the possibility he would play in Otago's Plunket Shield match against Central Districts at the University Oval next week.
All-rounder Sam Wells will captain Otago for the next few weeks.
The 28-year-old is standing in for regular captain and wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder, who has been named in the Blacks Caps twenty/20 side alongside Neesham and Brendon and Nathan McCullum.
Wells has only played four twenty/20 games but Johnson is confident he can do the role justice.
''Wellsy has good cricket knowledge and is respected among his peers, and I think we have enough senior members in the side to help him along. But in terms of cricket nous, he's got as much as any of the others."
Michael Bracewell will keep wickets. Bracewell started out as wicketkeeper-batsman but with his pathway blocked, focused on his batting.
All-rounder Iain Robertson has been included in the 13 at the expense of contracted player Darren Broom.
Fast bowler James McMillan was not considered because of injury. He has had a recurrence of his ankle problem.
Otago v ND
Hamilton, Friday night
Aaron Redmond, Hamish Rutherford, Ryan ten Doeschate, Neil Broom, Michael Bracewell, Sam Wells (captain), Mark Craig, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, Jacob Duffy, Iain Robertson, James Fuller.
