Valverde tops Uruguay squad list, Bentancur returns

Federico Valverde heads the Uruguay squad called up by Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, with midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur also returning after serving a suspension for the World Cup qualifying against Colombia and Brazil. Rodrigo Aguirre and Juan Rodriguez are among the main new additions to the squad, both of whom will wear the Uruguay jersey for the first time.

They are joined by Jose Maria Gimenez, Sergio Rochet, Nahitan Nández, Guillermo Varela, Brian Rodriguez and striker Darwin Nunez. Other names on the Argentine coach's list include Santiago Mele, Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Araújo, Facundo Torres and U-20 world champion Luciano Rodriguez.

Since last Sunday, several players have reported to the national team's training camp outside Montevideo to report to Bielsa's coaching staff. Uruguay will face Colombia at the Centenario Stadium on Friday 15 March for matchday 11, while on Tuesday 19, they will visit Brazil in the 12th and final matchday until March next year.

This is the list of players called up:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (Internacional-BRA), Santiago Mele (Junior-COL) and Franco Israel (Sporting Club-POR).

Defenders:  Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid-ESP), Santiago Bueno (Wolves -ENG), Nicolas Marichal (Dinamo Moskva-RUS), Juan Rodriguez (Boston River-URU), Mathias Olivera (Napoli-ITA), Nahitan Nandez (Al-Qadisiyah-KSA), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo-BRA), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Vasco da Gama-BRA) and Marcelo Saracchi (Boca Juniors-ARG).

Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United-ENG), Nicolas Fonseca (River Plate-ARG), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid- ESP), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham-ENG), Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos-GRE), Maximiliano Araajo (Sporting Club-POR) and Facundo Torres (Orlando City-USA).

Forwards: Luciano Rodriguez (Esporte Clube-BRA), Brian Rodríguez (América-MEX), Cristian Olivera (Los Angeles-EUA), Rodrigo Aguirre (America-MEX) and Darwin Nunez (Liverpool-ENG).