Higuain left out of Argentina squad for qualifiers

Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has been left out of Argentina's football squad for their FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela.

But Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero was recalled after being overlooked for the Albiceleste's June friendlies against Australia and Singapore, reports Xinhua news agency.

There was also a place for Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi, who has not represented his country in a competitive match since 2013.

The clashes against Uruguay in Montevideo on August 31 and Venezuela in Buenos Aires five days later will be Argentina's first qualifiers under Jorge Sampaoli, who replaced Edgardo Bauza as coach in April.

Sampaoli is expected to add to his squad in the coming days with players from Argentinian clubs.

The Albiceleste are currently fifth in the 10-team South American zone standings, 11 points behind leaders Brazil with four matches remaining.

Only the top four teams will qualify directly for next year's World Cup in Russia while the fifth-ranked side will advance to an inter-continental playoff.

Argentina squad:

Goalkeepers: Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad).

Defenders: Federico Fazio (Roma), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Nicolas Pareja (Sevilla).

Midfielders: Marcos Acuna (Sporting CP), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (AC Milan), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Manuel

Lanzini (West Ham United), Leandro Paredes (Zenit), Guido Pizarro (Sevilla), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica).

--IANS

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