Bielsa names first half of World Cup squad

Argentina have announced 12 out of the 23 players that they will take to the World Cup.

Coach Marco Bielsa has decided to name the players whose club concerns are over for the season.

Rangers striker Claudio Caniggia is in the squad despite picking up a knee injury in the Scottish Cup final win over Celtic, completing an extraordinary comeback.

The 12 players that have a confirmed place in Argentina’s World Cup squad are as follows:

Defenders: Jose Chamot (AC Milan), Walter Samuel (Roma) Mauricio Pochettino (Paris St Germain).

Midfielders: Claudio Husain (River Plate), Diego Simeone (Lazio), Marcelo Gallardo (Monaco), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan).

Forwards: Ariel Ortega (River Plate), Claudio Caniggia (Rangers), Gabriel Batistuta (Roma), Claudio Lopez (Lazio), Hernan Crespo (Lazio).