Veron on verge of Argentina comeback

NEWS: Juan Sebastian Veron is set to be called up for Argentina’s Copa America squad — five years after being widely criticised for his performance at the 2002 World Cup.

The midfield general (pictured above) is part of coach Alfio Basile’s pre-Venezuela training camp and is virtually guaranteed a place in the full squad, which is expected to be announced after the final games in the Spanish league this weekend.

Veron, 32, made his name in Italy with Sampdoria, Parma and Lazio, but struggled to repeat his form at Manchester United and Chelsea, and was blamed by many for Argentina’s first round exit in the 2002 World Cup.

He has impressed back in Argentina with Estudiantes and was called up by Basile to lead a side of Argentina-based players in a friendly against Chile in April, but his comeback was scuppered by injured.

However, the coach has given another chance to a player who hasn’t played for the Albicelestes for more than three-and-a-half years.

After taking part in the first Copa America training session, Veron said: “To make a comeback to our national team is like a piece of unfinished business for me.

“I try to play with my whole heart. This is a huge chance for me and as far as I’m concerned, I’ll give my everything. We are a team aiming to win something big.”

While most Copa America participants have named provisional squads that will be whittled down to 22 names in the week before the tournament, Basile has taken the unusual step of initially calling up just 10 players for his training camp. They are: Veron, Carlos Tevez, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Mascherano, Javier Zanetti, Nicolas Burdisso, Esteban Cambiasso, Hernan Crespo (right), Lucho Gonzalez and Javier Pinola.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri is a major injury doubt for the tournament after his club, Getafe, revealed he had torn a muscle in his left leg.

• For a list of the Copa America squads, as they are announced, click here.