Man Utd midfielder Valencia called up for Ecuador

Published May. 20, 2011 10:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Manchester United midfielder Antonio Valencia has been called up to the Ecuador squad for Copa America warm-up matches in the U.S. against Mexico, Canada and Greece.

Valencia will miss the games against Mexico on May 28 and Canada on June 1 because his club is involved in the Champions League final against Barcelona, but may play a part in the encounter six days later with Greece.

Valencia returned to action in March after a six-month layoff with an ankle injury, prompting suggestions his club would prefer him to skip the Copa America. However, Ecuadorean officials say he will be selected for the South American championship if fit.

Coach Reinaldo Rueda also called up Levante striker Felipe Caicedo and former Birmingham City forward Cristian Benitez.

---

Squad:

Goalkeeper: Marcelo Elizaga (Deportivo Quito), Maximo Banguera (Barcelona), Alexander Dominguez (Liga de Quito).

Defenders: Juan Carlos Paredes (Deportivo Quito), Neicer Reascos (Liga de Quito), Giovanni Caicedo (Liga de Quito), Diego Calderon (Liga de Quito), Jorge Guagua (Liga de Quito), Luis Checa (Deportivo Quito), Frickson Erazo (El Nacional), Walter Ayovi (Monterrey).

Midfielder: Segundo Castillo (Deportivo Quito), Oswaldo Tilson Minda (Deportivo Quito), Luis Fernando Saritama (Deportivo Quito), Michael Arroyo (San Luis), Flavio Caicedo (El Nacional), Edison Mendez (Emelec), Cristian Noboa (Rubin Kazan), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United).

Attackers: Jaime Ayovi (Toluca), Christian Benitez (Santos), Felipe Caicedo (Levante), Joao Plata (Toronto).