Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez has been left out of Chile's squad for two friendlies next month.
The Red Devils sit 13th in the table after back-to-back defeats against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, their worst start to a Premier League campaign since the inaugural season in 1992-93.
Chile, meanwhile, are preparing for friendlies in the Far East against Japan and South Korea, a potential 10,000 mile round trip for Sanchez.
Coach Reinaldo Rueda is quoted by Sky Sports News as claiming that such a trip would be "exhausting" for the Roja talisman.
The 61-year-old added that United "need him in a difficult moment" despite his country's matches in Sapporo on September 7 and Seoul four days later.
Sanchez, 29, is Chile's record scorer and most-capped player.
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
