Japan coach Philippe Troussier announced a reduced 34-man squad Tuesday for the upcoming World Cup training camp for domestic-based national team players in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Injuries to key players forced the Frenchman to scale back his plans for a 40-strong camp for the Feb. 25-27 camp in Shimizu but striker Naohiro Takahara returns to the fold after leaving Argentine club Boca Juniors earlier this month.
Shimizu S-Pulse's Alessandro Santos will join the squad after recovering from a groin injury but teammate Ryuzo Morioka will be out for another two weeks. Jubilo Iwata midfielders Toshihiro Hattori and Hiroshi Nanami face a struggle to get fit in time for the World Cup.