Higuain recalled to Argentina squad

Gonzalo Higuain was Monday recalled to Argentina's national squad for the team's World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia next month.

But coach Gerardo Martino was forced to leave out Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, who are yet to recover from respective knee and hamstring injuries.

Higuain has not played for the Albiceleste since their loss to Chile on penalties in the Copa America final in June.

The 27-year-old, who scored nine times during Argentina's last World Cup qualifying campaign, has been in prolific form for Napoli with seven goals in his past eight matches.

Martino also recalled Marcos Rojo, Ever Banega and Enzo Perez from injury.

The two-time World Cup winners are seventh in the South American zone standings with one point from their first two matches against Ecuador and Paraguay.

They will meet Brazil in Buenos Aires on November 12 before facing Colombia in Barranquilla five days alter.

Argentina squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Agustin Marchesin (Santos Laguna)

Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Ezequiel Garay (Zenit St Petersburg), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Emmanuel Mas (San Lorenzo)

Midfielders: Matias Kranevitter (River Plate), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Enzo Perez (Valencia), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain), Erik Lamela (Tottenham)

Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Carlos Tevez (Boca Juniors), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) Endit