Huguain overlooked by Argentina

Gerardo Martino has left the striker out of his 28-strong squad but there is a place in the panel for Juventus starlet Paulo Dybala

Napoli forward Gonzalo Huguain was a notable absentee from Argentina's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.

The 27-year-old missed his country's friendlies against Bolovia and Mexico earlier this month due to a stomach bug but has since been playing regularly for his club.

Indeed, the striker scored two goals in Monday's 5-0 thrashing of Serie A rivals Lazio, taking his tally to four goals from as many appearances so far this season.

Angel Di Maria and Javier Pastore were another two big-name players to not feature in the friendlies in the United States but both have been called up by Gerardo Martino for the Russia 2018 qualifiers.

There is also a place in the 28-strong panel for the uncapped Paulo Dybala, who has bagged two goals since joining Juventus from Palermo for €32 million during the summer.

Martino's men will face Ecuador at home on October 8 before the relatively short-trip to Paraguay for their October 13 clash.

Argentina squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Nahuel Guzman (Club Tigres), Agustin Marchesin (Santos Laguna), Sergio Romero (Manchester United).

Defenders: Milton Casco (River Plate), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Ramires Funi Mori (Everton), Ezequiel Garay (Zenit), Emmanuel Mas (San Lorenzo), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Ever Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Matias Kranevitter (River Plate), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Javier Pastore (PSG), Roberto Pereyra (Juventus), Enzo Perez (Valencia).

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Carlos Tevez (Boca Juniors).