TEVEZ NOT IN ARGENTINA SQUAD
Carlos Tevez has again been omitted from the Argentina squad, ahead of forthcoming friendly matches against the United States and Costa Rica.
Coach Sergio Batista has said there is no hidden reason for the Manchester City striker's omission - only that he wants to see how different players fare. He did not call on Tevez for the international against Portugal last month.
However, Argentinian FA president Julio Grondona claims the move is a punishment after Tevez stepped down from a match against Brazil citing an injury - but played for City only a few days later.
Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero is another key player who will miss the games against USA - on March 26 - and Costa Rica three days later.
There are several newcomers to the squad, goalkeeper Adrian Gabbarini, defender Federico Fazio, midfielder Fernando Belluschi and forward Eduardo Salvio.
Squad: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andujar (Catania), Adrian Gabbarini (Independiente); Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Pablo Zabaleta (Man City), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow), Nicolas Otamendi (Porto), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Federico Fazio; Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Jose Sosa (Napoli), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Valencia), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Mario Bolatti (Internacional de Porto Alegre), Fernando Belluschi (Porto); Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica).
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