Argentina have made a decision over Lisandro Martinez for their upcoming international games.
A short-term calf injury has turned into a more troubling one for Lisandro Martinez.
The Manchester United defender has now been left out of Argentina’s international squad for their March friendlies, it has been confirmed.
Martinez’s last game for United came in the 2-0 win over Tottenham at the start of February.
There is no sign of an imminent return.
Lisandro Martinez passing the ball out of defence
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Lisandro Martinez latest
Lisandro Martinez has been omitted from Lionel Scaloni’s squad for Argentina’s upcoming friendly against Guatemala.
Argentina are taking the friendly seriously as a chance to warm up for the World Cup, with Lionel Messi included.
However, Lisandro Martinez’s injury issues mean he misses out on another international squad.
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Argentine outlet TyC Sports reports that he is out directly due to his injury issues, describing it as a ‘significant blow’ to Argentina’s preparations.
Martinez missed Argentina’s games in September, October and November as he was recovering from a torn ACL.
His return for Manchester United and his impressive form in January indicated he was back on track, before his latest injury.
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Lisandro Martinez was among the players absent from training, and Michael Carrick confirmed in his pre-game press conference that he won’t be available for United’s trip to the south coast.
Carrick offered hope that Martinez should be back after the international break, when United play Leeds on April 13.
“He’s a lot closer. He’s getting there. After this one, I think he’ll be alright.”
It is a positive for United that Martinez is not rushing off to join up with Argentina for the upcoming break.
But that is also a worrying sign, which suggests Carrick might even be speaking wishfully about Martinez’s return, rather than speaking with total accuracy.
Martinez’s original injury ahead of the Everton game was only expected to keep him out of one match.
Now he is on course to miss a fifth, plus the international break.
We will believe he is back when we see it.
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