By Adeboye Amosu: Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli is set to hand recalls to defenders Marcos Rojo and Funes Mori ahead of next month’s friendly fixtures against Italy and Spain, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
The Albiceleste will face Italy at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium on March 23rd and then take on Spain four days later at the Wanda Metropolitan Stadium, home of Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United’s Rojo and Everton’s Mori last featured for the two-time world champions in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Bolivia on March 29, 2017.
The latter picked up cartilage knee injury in that same game which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Mori only recently returned to full training with the first team and featured in the Toffees’ U-23s defeat against their Arsenal counterparts early this month but he is yet to make an appearance in the English Premier League this term.
Rojo sustained a knee ligament injury in Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Anderlecht last season which effectively ruled him out Argentina subsequent games in the qualifiers after the Bolivia game.
The versatile centre-back has been limited to seven appearances in the Premier League this season as he has been further plagued by injuries.
According to a report in m.tycsports.com, Sampaoli has already pencilled down the duo for the games against Italy and Spain.
Sampaoli according to the website will also extend an invitation to Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico for the two matches.
Tagliafico, a former U-20 international, made his senior debut against Brazil in June 2017 and has been capped twice by the Albiceleste.
Argentina will play in Group D with Nigeria, Iceland and Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Argentina Coach Sampaoli To Recall United’s Rojo, Everton’s Mori For Italy, Spain Friendlies
