Football
ESPN staff 8y

Argentina's Edgardo Bauza open to recalling Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez

Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez could return to the Argentina squad in the World Cup qualifying campaign, coach Edgardo Bauza says.

Higuain has scored three times in as many games for Juventus following his Italian-record transfer from Napoli this summer, but Bauza left him out of qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela because of fears he was not fully fit.

Tevez, meanwhile, has not played for Argentina in nearly a year despite scoring five goals each in the league and Copa Libertadores for Boca Juniors in 2016.

The forward faces a suspension after being sent off in Sunday's game after confronting a referee, and Bauza said that could impact a call-up for next month's games against Peru and Paraguay.

"I spoke with [Higuain]. He knows that he could be selected at any time. He's a national team player," the coach told reporters.

"[Tevez] is getting back to his best form, but we'll have to see how he does after his suspension. He could be selected if he maintains his form."

Argentina this month moved up to third place in CONMEBOL qualifying through eight games, just a point behind leaders Uruguay, but Bauza says his squad are not yet in top form.

"The idea has been instilled. We've been reviewing the last two qualifiers and there's good things that stand out but also things to correct," he added.

"We know that during these tight qualifiers winning is important. That is always the idea."

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