Serbia coach Miroslav Djukic has named uncapped keepers Radisa Ilic and Damir Kahriman for the team's friendly against neighbours Macedonia in his first game in charge on February 6.

Djukic, who took over last month, also included uncapped defender Nemanja Rnic for the away game and axed from his 22-man squad many regulars who failed to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals under his Spanish predecessor Javier Clemente.

The casualties include keepers Vladimir Stojkovic and Vlada Avamov, defenders Mladen Krstajic and Milan Stepanov, midfielders Igor Duljaj and Ognjen Koroman as well as Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic.

Djukic called up four home-based players but none from Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade, bitter city rivals to Partizan who had been steered by Djukic to the top of the first division at the winter break.

The 41-year old coach, a former Yugoslavia and Valencia defender, rebuffed suggestions that sentimental ties to Partizan had affected his selection.

"Club affiliation has nothing to do with my choice, it never has been nor will it ever be a factor," he said.

"We believe these are the best 22 players we have at the moment and they will be the backbone of the squad aiming to reach the World Cup 2010 finals in South Africa," he said.

"We have closed the door to no one but it's up to those left out to prove us wrong."

Serbia are in qualifying Group 7 with 2006 finalists France, Romania, Austria, Lithuania and the Faroe Islands.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Radisa Ilic (OFK Belgrade), Damir Kahriman (Konyaspor)

Defenders: Antonio Rukavina (Borussia Dortmund), Marjan Markovic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla), Dusko Tosic (Werder Bremen), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Gojko Kacar (Vojvodina Novi Sad), Nemanja Rnic (Partizan Belgrade).

Midfield: Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Nenad Kovacevic (RC Lens), Milan Smiljanic (Espanyol), Bosko Jankovic (Palermo), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Zoran Tosic (Partizan Belgrade), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Fiorentina), Stefan Babovic (Nantes).

Strikers: Nikola Zigic (Valencia), Danko Lazovic (PSV Eindhoven), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege), Ranko Despotovic (Rapid Bucharest).

Reuters