NEWS: Claudio Pizarro is set to play in the Copa America after accepting his first call-up by Peru since falling out with the national team last autumn.
The 28-year-old marksman (pictured above), who recently transferred from Bayern Munich to Chelsea, heads an exciting list of attacking options in coach Julio Cesar Uribe’s 26-man provisional squad.
Strikers Jefferson Farfan, of PSV Eindhoven, and Hamburg’s Paolo Guerrero also make the team. But Newcastle United’s Nolberto Solano (right) — an outspoken critic of the Peru Football Federation — has been left out of the team.
Pizarro was suspended from the national team after missing one of two friendlies against Chile last October. He said he had permission and later vowed never to play again under then coach Franco Navarro.
Uribe’s appointment earlier this year opened the door for his comeback, but Pizarro missed a friendly in Japan in March and his Peru future had again been in doubt.
Meanwhile, Solano, who has this year has been pleading to return to the international fold for the first time since 2005, has been overlooked for the Copa America.
But Uribe has told the Newcastle United midfielder he is in line for a recall when World Cup qualifiers start later this year.
Peru’s squad must be cut to 22 players at least five days before the tournament starts in Venezuela on Tuesday, June 26.
Peru provisional Copa America squad
Goalkeepers:
Leao Butron (Universidad SMP), George Forsyth (Alianza Lima), Juan Flores (Cienciano).
Defenders:
Santiago Acasiete (Almeria (Sp)), Alberto Rodriguez (Braga (Por)), Walter Vilchez (Cruz Azul (Mex)), Martin Hidalgo (Internacional (Brz)), Amilton Prado, Miguel Villalta (both Sporting Cristal), Joel Herrera (Alianza Lima), John Galliquio (Universitario).
Midfielders:
Juan Carlos Bazalar, Paolo de la Haza, Juan Carlos Marino, Edgar Villamarin (all Cienciano), Damian Ismodes (Sporting Cristal), Jair Cespedes (Sport Boys), Juan Vargas (Catania (It)).
Forwards:
Jefferson Farfan (PSV Eindhoven (Hol)), Andres Mendoza, Paolo Guerrero (Hamburg (Ger)), Claudio Pizarro (Chelsea (Eng)), Roberto Jimenez (San Lorenzo (Arg)), Miguel Mostto (Cienciano), Pedro Garcia (Universidad SMP), Ysrael Zuniga (Melgar).
• For a list of the Copa America squads, as they are announced, click here.
