BUENOS AIRES, Aug 23: Argentina’s injured captain Lionel Messi has been named in a squad missing the suspended Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Higuain for next month’s World Cup qualifier against South America’s bottom side Paraguay.
Messi, who suffered a hamstring injury during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday, is expected to be fit by the time group leaders Argentina visit Asuncion for the match on Sept 10.
Higuain, top scorer in the South American qualifying competition with nine goals in 11 matches, was sent off against Colombia while midfielder Mascherano was shown a red card versus Ecuador in Argentina’s last two qualifiers in June.
However, striker Sergio Aguero is back after missing the 2-1 win over Italy in a friendly in Rome last week.
Coach Alejandro Sabella, who named an 18-man squad, is also without suspended first choice centre-backs Ezequiel Garay and Federico Fernandez who have two bookings in the competition.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania).
Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Fabriccio Coloccini (Newcastle United), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Basanta (Monterrey), Cristian Ansaldi (Zenit St Petersburg). Midfielders: Ever Banega (Valencia), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Erik Lamela (AS Roma).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan).—Reuters