LIMA, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Veracruz midfielder Wilder Cartagena has been drafted into Peru's squad for friendlies against Chile and the United States, the Peruvian football federation said on Sunday.
Cartagena, capped four times for Peru, replaces Luis Abram, who suffered an unspecified muscle injury while playing for Argentine club Velez Sarsfield.
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca has also been forced to cut Miguel Araujo, Jefferson Farfan and Cristian Benavente from his original 24-man squad for the matches due to injuries.
In addition, Blanquirroja captain Paolo Guerrero remains absent as he serves a ban for a positive cocaine metabolite sample. The 34-year-old claims he unwittingly consumed the substance in contaminated tea.
Peru, whose participation at this year's World Cup in Russia was their first appearance in football's showpiece event since 1982, will play Chile in Miami on Oct. 12 and the United States four days later in Connecticut.
