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Pair get Argentina recall

Image: Pastore: Returned to Argentina squad

Javier Pastore and Oscar Ustari have returned to the Argentina squad to play Japan next month.

Pastore and Ustari receive call-up to face Japan

Javier Pastore and Oscar Ustari have returned to the Argentina squad to play Japan next month. Argentina caretaker boss Sergio Batista has named the pair in his 25-man squad for the friendly in Saitama on 5th October. Previous boss Diego Maradona selected Pastore as part of his 2010 World Cup squad, with Palermo's talented midfielder featuring twice as a late substitute in South Africa. The 21-year-old was then an unused substitute in the friendly win over the Republic of Ireland in August and was subsequently overlooked by Batista for the friendly win over World Cup winners Spain earlier this month. Getafe's Ustari was the third-choice goalkeeper in Germany 2006 but after Maradona did not call upon him Batista has now given him a new chance. Meanwhile, Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan has received his first senior call-up after Maradona only selected him for a home-based squad for minor friendlies in Argentina. Squad to face Japan: Andujar (Catania), Ustari (Getafe), Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Zanetti (Inter Milan), Samuel (Inter Milan), G Milito (Barcelona), Burdisso (Roma), Zabaleta (Man City), Heinze (Marseille), Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Di Maria (Real Madrid), Gago (Real Madrid), Mascherano (Barcelona), Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Sosa (Napoli), Bolatti (Fiorentina), Pastore (Palermo), D'Alessandro (Inter Brasil), Gaitan (Benfica), Tevez (Man City), Higuain (Real Madrid), Messi (Barcelona), Aguero (Atletico Madrid), D Milito (Inter Milan), Lavezzi (Napoli).

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