Banega misses out as Sabella names Argentina World Cup squad

Ever Banega is the main casualty as Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has trimmed his squad to 23 players for the World Cup. The midfielder has been on loan at Newell's Old Boys from Valencia and the Argentina coach has deemed him surplus to requirements as he prepares for the tournament in Brazil.

Argentina head into the summer showpiece as one of the favourites and the South Americans have a whole host of high-profile players in the shape of Lionel Messi, as well as Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis. Sabella's team have been drawn in Group F alongside Iran, Nigeria and Bosnia and Herzegovina, against whom they begin their campaign on June 15 in Rio de Janeiro.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)

Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Jose Basanta (Monterrey)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain)