How Argentina could line up against Bolivia

© Reuters

After issues regarding quarantining in Brazil that caused the suspension of their game in Sao Paulo on Sunday, Argentina have released Aston Villa duo Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia from the squad to return to England ahead of the upcoming World Cup Qualifying clash with Bolivia.

In the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Martinez, Villarreal stopper Geronimo Rulli will likely come in between the sticks.

Despite the departures of Martinez and Buendia, Tottenham Hotspur duo Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero both seem to have stayed in the camp and should be available on Thursday, after they both started and were at the centre of the issues around English-based players failing to quarantine, leading to the suspension early in the game as health authorities stormed the pitch.

Lo Celso reformed a familiar midfield trio with Paris Saint-Germain's Leandro Paredes and new Atletico Madrid star Rodrigo De Paul last time out, after all three thrived at this summer's Copa America as La Albiceleste lifted the trophy, and Lionel Scaloni should leave the engine room unchanged.

Meanwhile, Romero came into the defensive line alongside experienced centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, with full-backs Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna rounding off the back four.

Talismanic captain Lionel Messi will certainly feature prominently in the attacking line, while Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria are also expected to keep their places, although they will face competition from the likes of Angel Correa and Juventus star Paulo Dybala.

Argentina possible starting lineup: Rulli; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Di Maria, Martinez, Messi