Argentina have named Barcelona's Javier Saviola to replace Gabriel Batistuta in their squad for their World Cup warm-up friendly against Germany in Stuttgart tomorrow.
Batistuta was injured during AS Roma's Serie A match against Parma on Sunday when he received an accidental kick in the head from Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro.
Argentina's record international goalscorer with 55 goals in 75 appearances briefly lost consciousness and was taken to hospital after the incident but suffered no serious injury.
However, the incident caused a fright in Argentina and is also another blow to the 33-year-old Batistuta's international career, which has seen him lose his place in the team to Hernan Crespo who plays for Roma's local rivals Lazio.
Crespo was not picked for the Germany game after joining a growing Argentina injury list ahead of the World Cup finals.
Batistuta, who has also been plagued by injuries, has only made one appearance for his country in the last 18 months, in the World Cup qualifier away to Paraguay last October when he celebrated by scoring the equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
His withdrawal from the squad gives the 20-year-old Saviola another chance to impress coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Saviola replaced Crespo in Bielsa's squad for the friendly against Cameroon in Geneva last month but did not play in the 2-2 draw in which Lazio winger Claudio Lopez was played in an unaccustomed central striking role.
The pint-sized Barcelona striker has hit a fine vein of form, scoring four times in their last two league games and the vital third goal in the 3-1 win over Panathinaikos that ensured the Catalan side qualified for a Champions League semifinal against arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Barcelona coach Carles Rexach believes the young striker, who hit the headlines when he joined Barcelona for $28 million last July, has finally found his feet in Europe. "He was already a great player before we signed him," said Rexach yesterday.
"We knew he had the quality but he had to demonstrate it here in Europe. He has now done that and has passed the test. He finishes brilliantly and is working hard all over the pitch.
"Despite the fact that he spent much of the early part of the season on the bench, Saviola's self-effacing attitude and his undoubted class in front of goal have made him the darling of the Nou Camp faithful.
Saviola, who was top scorer in Argentina's triumphant World Youth Cup campaign last year, admits he is pleased with his end-of-season form.
"Every forward likes scoring goals and to tell the truth I am very happy with my game and with the way the team are playing," Saviola said after Sunday's win against Alaves.
"But I know that I am by no means a perfect player and still have a lot to learn."
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