Hamburg SV striker Naohiro Takahara and Feyenoord midfielder Shinji Ono are expected to join the national squad prior to Japan's Kirin Cup match against the United Arab Emirates, Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi said Tuesday.
Junichi Inamoto of English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion will likely return in time for the May 22 clash against Peru, the first of Japan's two Kirin Cup fixtures to be played five days before the UAE match, Kawabuchi said.
Kawabuchi said Italian first-division side Fiorentina is unwilling to release midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata for either Kirin Cup matches as Japan warms up for its World Cup qualifiers away to Bahrain on June 3 and North Korea on June 8.
Italian club Reggina is expected to allow Shunsuke Nakamura to appear in the UAE game if it ensures its survival in the top flight.