Puerta, Mier earn Colombia call-up for World Cup qualifiers

BOGOTA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo has called up uncapped pair Gustavo Puerta and Kevin Mier for World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Argentina, the Colombian football federation said on Thursday.

Midfielder Puerta has impressed during his loan spell with Hull City from Bayer Leverkusen, while goalkeeper Mier has been instrumental in Cruz Azul's run to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

Lorenzo also recalled Andres Roman, Deiver Machado, Willer Ditta, Yaser Asprilla and Juan Camilo Hernandez, all of whom were absent from Colombia's last double header of qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay in March.

As expected, the 26-man squad includes Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, Leon midfielder James Rodriguez and Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz.

Colombia will meet Peru in Barranquilla on June 6 and Argentina in Buenos Aires four days later.

The Cafeteros are currently sixth in the 10-team South American zone standings with four qualifiers remaining.

The top six teams will automatically qualify for football's showpiece event in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year, while the seventh-ranked side will dispute an intercontinental playoff. Enditem