Colombia name squad for Mexico friendly

Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin is the highest-profile absentee from Jose Pekerman’s Colombia squad named to face Mexico next week.

The former Porto player, who is yet to make his debut for the Serie A outfit after suffering a calf injury, was expected to be ready to return by the end of the month, but has been left out as a precaution as new coach Pekerman prepares for the next Wednesday’s friendly international in Miami.

Aside from Guarin, Pekerman takes a strong-looking squad to the United States. Racing Club playmaker Gio Moreno returns to the fold after being overlooked by former trainer Leonel Alvarez, and rejoins club team-mate Teofilo Gutierrez in the 22-man list.

There is also a place for Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao, who missed out on Colombia’s World Cup qualifying clash with Argentina in November due to injury.

Goalkeepers: David Ospina [Nice-FRA] and Luis Martinez [Once Caldas].

Defenders: Mario Yepes [Milan-ITA], Pablo Armero [Udinese-ITA], Camilo Zuniga [Napoli-ITA], Luis Perea [Atletico de Madrid-ESP], Christian Zapata [Villareal-ESP], Bernardo Espinosa [Racing Santander-ESP], Aquivaldo Mosquera [America-MEX].

Midfielders: Carlos Sanchez [Valeciennes-FRA], Abel Aguilar [Hercules-ESP], James Rodriguez [Porto-POR], Juan Guillermo Cuadrado [Lecce-ITA], Elkin Soto [Mainz 05-GER], Giovanni Moreno [Racing-ARG], Aldo Leao Ramirez [Morelia-MEX], Gustavo Bolivar [Deportes Tolima].

Forwards: Radamel Falcao Garcia [Atletico Madird-ESP], Jackson Martinez [Jaguares-MEX], Teofilo Gutierrez [Racing-ARG], Dayro Moreno [Once Caldas] and Dorlan Pabon [Atletico Nacional].