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Star ready to Roque for Paraguay

Wed 28 May, 09:30 AM


Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has named a 19-man squad including Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz ahead of their friendly with France.Rovers hitman Santa Cruz and Wolfsburg forward Nelson Haedo Valdez head the list of names in a squad that is much changed from the team that competed in the Kirin Cup.

The Guaranies completed their preparations in Japan with a goalless draw against Japan and after the game Martino announced his squad for the France friendly - their last before the South American World Cup qualifiers resume.

Just eight players who appeared at the Kirin Cup will make the trip to France - with Libertad trio Victor Caceres, Sergio Aquino and Dante Lopez to be joined by Mexican-based pair Dario Veron and Denis Caniza as well as Jorge Nunez, Marcelo Estigarribia (both Cerro Porteno) and Olimpia midfielder Carlos Paredes.

In addition to new names of Santa Cruz and Valdez, Martino has called up Benfica attacker Oscar Cardozo and Newell's Old Boys goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Martino opted not to call up those players still involved in the Copa Libertadores meaning defender Julio Cesar Caceres (Boca Juniors), Salvador Cabanas (America) and midfielder Luis Enrique (Vera Deportiva Universitaria) will not make the trip.

The Argentinian boss revealed he would confirm his squad to play the upcoming World Cup qualifiers following the match in Toulouse.

Paraguay will play Brazil in Asuncion on June 15 before travelling to play Bolivia in La Paz three days later.

Paraguay lead the South American Qualifying Zone on 10 points.

Paraguay squad: Villar (Newell's Old Boys), Bobadilla (Medellin); Paulo Da Silva (Toluca), Manzur (Pachuca), Veron (Pumas), Benitez (Libertad), Nunez (Cerro Porteno), Caniza (Cruz Azul), Torres (San Lorenzo); Barreto (Reggina), Caceres, Aquino (both Libertad), Paredes (Olimpia), Santana (Wolfsburg); Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers), Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund), Cardozo (Benfica), Estigarribia (Cerro Porteno), Lopez (Libertad).

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