Maradona hands veteran Ortega Argentina recall

Argentina coach Diego Maradona on Wednesday handed veteran midfielder Ariel Ortega a surprise recall to the national team for a friendly international against Haiti.

Ortega, who took part in the 1994, 1998 and 2006 World Cups, has been pondering retirement after facing serious personal problems in recent years, including a battle with alchohol.

Maradona, who has used over 100 players since taking over as coach in 2008, was forced to dig deep into his reserves once he knew he was unable to call on his Europe-based stars for the May 5 game at Cutral-Co, 1,200km to the south-west of Buenos Aires.

The game, aimed at raising funds for the Haiti earthquake relief fund, will probably be the last for Ortega who has played in three World Cups.

Maradona has also called up a new goalkeeper in Adrian Gabbarini of Independiente while Boca Juniors striker Martin Palermo, who like Ortega is also 36, was also named in the squad.

Argentina are in Group B at the June 11-July 11 World Cup with South Korea, Nigeria and Greece.