Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo has pulled out of the Japan squad for the crucial upcoming World Cup qualifier away to Oman because of injury, the Japan Football Association said Tuesday.
The 24-year-old hurt his right foot in a J. League match against Vissel Kobe in the middle of last month and has been forced to withdraw after aggravating it on Saturday during Gamba's 7-1 hammering of local rival Cerezo Osaka.
The JFA said it will not call up a replacement for Endo for the Asian zone Group 3 clash against the Omanis in Muscat on Oct. 13 while Gamba officials said they expect Endo to be able to resume training in around 10 days.