Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis earned a surprise inclusion on Tuesday in Argentina's provisional 30-man World Cup squad.
The centre back, a veteran of the 2010 finals who lost his place in coach Alejandro Sabella's team after a 1-1 draw at home to Bolivia in a South American qualifier in November 2011, has enjoyed a good end to his first season in England, helping City win the Premier League.
Sabella also selected injured midfielders Fernando Gago, Augusto Fernandez and Angel Di Maria, who hope to be fit in time for the tournament in Brazil starting on June 12. Argentina face Iran, Bosnia and Nigeria in Group F.
Argentina: Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Mariano Andujar, Agustin Orion; Defenders: Federico Fernandez, Ezequiel Garay, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, Marcos Rojo, Jose Basanta, Hugo Campagnaro, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Lopez, Gabriel Mercado; Midfielders: Fernando Gago, Ever Banega, Augusto Fernandez, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Lucas Biglia, Maxi Rodriguez, Ricardo Alvarez, Enzo Perez, Fabian Rinaudo, Jose Sosa; Forwards: Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Rodrigo Palacio, Franco Di Santo.
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