Ahead of a critical week in World Cup qualification, Argentina’s squad have begun to assemble in Buenos Aires and on Sunday evening, Jorge Sampaoli added an additional four domestic players to his initial 23-man squad.
Boca Juniors striker and last season’s Primera top scorer Darío Benedetto received his first international call-up and was joined by River Plate defender Javier Pinola, Lanús forward Lautaro Acosta and Independiente’s 21-year-old full back Fabricio Bustos.
These four will join up with the 23 European-based players at the training complex in Ezeiza on Monday ahead of Thursday’s clash with Uruguay in Montevideo and the home game against Venezuela, the following Tuesday.
Boca midfielder Pablo Pérez is understood to be on stand-by in case any of the existing squad are forced to pull out through injury.
[SELECCIÓN MAYOR] Pinola, Bustos, Benedetto y Acosta son los convocados del fútbol local que completan la nómina para las #Eliminatorias. pic.twitter.com/XTi7uu0O36
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) August 28, 2017