LIMA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Al-Fateh midfielder Christian Cueva has returned to Peru's squad for decisive World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay, head coach Ricardo Gareca said on Friday.
Cueva, who missed Peru's last qualifier against Ecuador due to suspension, headlines a 29-man squad that also includes Boca Juniors defender Carlos Zambrano, Sporting Cristal star Yoshimar Yotun and Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
But there was no place for veteran forwards Jefferson Farfan and Paolo Guerrero, both of whom are struggling to overcome long-term knee problems.
Peru will play Uruguay in Montevideo on March 24 and Paraguay in Lima five days later in their final appearances of the South American qualifying tournament.
The Blanquirroja are currently fifth in the 10-team standings with 21 points from 16 matches.
The top four teams will automatically qualify for football's showpiece event, to be played in Qatar from November 21 to December 18. The fifth-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff. ■
