Liverpool's Javier Mascherano named in Argentina squad

Mar 11 2008

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been named in the Argentina squad for the friendly against Egypt later this month.

But Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez has been rested from the 20-man party for the March 26 match, with the striker suspended for the subsequent World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in June.

Fernando Cavenaghi has earned his first call-up to the squad after scoring 16 goals for French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux this season.

The match will be played in Cairo and Basile has opted to select overseas-based players only, forcing the exclusion of Boca Juniors star Juan Roman Riquelme.

Following the match against Egypt, Argentina will play two further friendlies - against Mexico in San Diego on June 4 and against the United States in New York four days later.

Argentina squad to play Egypt: Abbondanzieri, Ustari (both Getafe), Romero (AZ Alkmaar); Zanetti, Burdisso (both Internazionale), Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Milito (Barcelona), Heinze (Real Madrid), Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruna), Zabaleta (Espanyol); Mascherano (Liverpool), Gago (Real Madrid), Cambiasso (Internazionale), Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalez (Porto); Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Lopez (Porto), Cruz (Internazionale), Lavezzi (Napoli), Cavenaghi (Bordeaux).