Estudiantes name Sosa for Abu Dhabi

The South American champions optimistically include Jose Sosa in their squad for next month's Club World Cup.

Estudiantes' Juan Sebastian Veron, centre, receives the Copa Libertadores best player trophy on Thursday from the Santander group president Emilo Botin. On the right is Veron's father and former EstudShow more

BUENOS AIRES // The South American champions, Estudiantes, optimistically included Jose Sosa in their 23-man squad on Thursday for next month's Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. Sosa, who has five Argentina caps, has been loaned to Estudiantes by Bayern Munich until June 30 but the club from La Plata have so far been unsuccessful in trying to obtain his Fifa clearance before the transfer window. The 24-year-old, who joined Bayern from Estudiantes for US$8.9 million (Dh32.6m) in 2007, has yet to play for the Argentine club since returning to them at the end of October. Estudiantes were allowed to take centre back Rolando Schiavi on loan from Newell's Old Boys in mid-year due a glut of injuries to defenders. He played four times for Estudiantes, helping them win their two-legged Libertadores Cup semi-final and final. The club tournament, which runs from December 9 to 19, brings together the champions of Fifa's six confederations with Estudiantes and the European Cup holders Barcelona given a bye into the semi-finals.

Captained by Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, the squad includes: Goalkeepers: Damian Albil, Cesar Taborda, Roberto Fernandez Defenders: Clemente Rodriguez, Christian Cellay, Leandro Desabato, German Re, Agustin Alayes, Marcos Rojo, Juan Manuel Diaz Midfielders: Enzo Perez, Rodrigo Brana, Juan Sebastian Veron, Leandro Benitez, Maximiliano Nunez, Matias Sanchez, Marcelo Carrusca, Juan Huerta Forwards: Mauro Boselli, Juan Manuel Salgueiro, Jose Sosa, Jeronimo Morales Neumann, Leandro Gonzalez. * Reuters