The Manchester United defender joins Messi, Banega and Perez on the sidelines for the games against Ecuador and Paraguay, after Van Gaal requested he stay in England

Argentina’s injury woes have deepened ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, as Marcos Rojo became the latest man on the casualty list. 

Captain Lionel Messi and midfielders Ever Banega and Enzo Perez have already been ruled out of October’s double-header against Ecuador and Paraguay. 

And the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on its official website that the Manchester United defender would also be unavailable. 

“Marcos Rojo will not be part of the squad for the qualifying debut against Ecuador and Paraguay, as he is in the final phase of recovery from a grade 1 injury in his right hamstring,” the entity revealed on Monday. 

“Louis Van Gaal, the Manchester United coach, was in touch yesterday afternoon with Argentina coach Gerardo Martino to explain to him the convenience of the defender finishing his recovery in the club. 

“The situation was understood by the Albiceleste trainer, who will hope to have Rojo in top condition for the second qualifying double-header against Brazil and Colombia, in November.” 

Milton Casco and Emanuel Mas are the other specialist left-backs left in the Argentina squad, while Martino could also bring Pablo Zabaleta over to the other flank with Facundo Roncaglia covering on the right.