Higuain returns for Argentina’s WC qualifiers

The Juventus striker missed out on Edgardo Bauza’s first squad as Argentina coach, but three goals in as many appearances for Massimiliano Allegri’s side has seen the 28-year-old return to the fold for next month’s matches.

Higuain is joined in the squad by Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who returned from his short-lived international retirement for the games against Uruguay and Venezuela - only to withdraw from the squad through injury.

There is also a return for Sergio Aguero, who missed out last time due to a knock picked up in Manchester City’s Premier League victory over West Ham United.

Argentina, FIFA World Cup finalists in 2014, currently sit third in the CONMEBOL standings, with four wins from eight matches leaving them a point shy of leaders Uruguay and level with five-time world champions Brazil.

Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres).

Defenders: Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal), Facundo Roncaglia (Celta Vigo), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Martin Demichelis (Espanyol).

Midfielders: Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Matias Kranevitter (Sevilla), Ever Banega (Inter Milan), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Gaitan (Atletico Madrid).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Lucas Pratto (Atletic Mineiro), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus).