National team coach Alfio Basile has picked the home-based players with the aim of training together two or three days for week.

As most of the Argentinian stars play in Europe, Basile asked to work with these players from the Argentinian league in order to build for International friendlies and the Copa America.

And Veron has been rewarded for his fine displays for Estudiantes this season with a place in the squad, ending an absence of three years.

The biggest surprises were the inclusion of defender Jonathan Bottinelli and midfielder Cristian Ledesma, both from San Lorenzo de Almagro.

Among the absences are Boca Juniors' Juan Roman Riquelme, who last September announced his International retirement at the age of 28.

The Argentinian Football Association has arranged an International friendly against Switzerland on June 2, in Basel. Four days later, they will play against Australia in Melbourne.

This will be the last game before the Copa America, which will be played in Venezuela from June 26 to July 15.

Argentina squad: Goalkeepers: Juan Pablo Carrizo (River Plate), Oscar Ustari (Independiente).

Defenders: Hugo Ibarra (Boca Juniors), Paulo Ferrari (River Plate), Eduardo Tuzzio (River Plate), Hernan Pellerano (Velez Sarsfield), Daniel Diaz (Boca Juniors), German Re (Newell's Old Boys), Jonathan Bottinelli (San Lorenzo).

Midfielders: Leonardo Ponzio (River Plate), Agustin Pelletieri (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Fernando Belluschi (River Plate), Cristian Ledesma (San Lorenzo), Hernan Montenegro (Independiente), Neri Cardozo (Boca Juniors), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes).

Forwards: Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Lavezzi (San Lorenzo), Mariano Pavone (Estudiantes) and Mauro Zarate (Velez Sarsfield).