Maradona drops Coloccini, Lavezzi from Argentina squad

LONDON - Argentina coach Diego Maradona has left out Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini and Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi from his final 23-man World Cup squad.

Liverpool right winger Maxi Rodriguez has been retained as a cover for Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez while the only recognised fullback in the 23 was Clemente Rodriguez of Estudiantes as Maradona plans to field four central defenders. Argentina open their encounter in Group B opener against Nigeria in Johannesburg June 12.

Javier Zanetti, Argentina’s 136-cap record holder and an experienced full back, who will captain Inter Milan in Saturday’s Champions League final against Bayern Munich, also missed out on a place in the provisional squad.

The only player in the squad without a cap is Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore. The playmaker will be a cover for 35-year-old Juan Sebastian Veron, who may struggle to last the pace of the finals if Argentina go far.

Lavezzi was the only player dropped among the forwards on the 30-man list.

Squad: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon); Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon); Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo); Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona).