World Cup 2014: Antonio Valencia is named in Ecuador squad

Image source, AP

Manchester United midfielder Antonio Valencia has been named in Ecuador's World Cup squad.

Valencia, 28, played 44 times for United as they finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League.

Stuttgart midfielder Carlos Gruezo, 19, who won his first two caps last month, is also in Reinaldo Rueda's squad.

Midfielder Segundo Castillo made the cut but was then replaced by Osvaldo Minda on the eve of the World Cup after failing to overcome a knee injury.

There were three uncapped domestic-based strikers in the 30-man squad - Cristian Penilla, Angel Mena and Armando Wila - but they have all been dropped.

Emelec defender Jhon Narvaez, 19-year-old Fortuna Dusseldorf defender Cristian Ramirez, Emelec midfielder Pedro Quinonez and Chivas USA midfielder Minda - before his last-minute recall - were the others to drop out.

The South American country are in Group E with Switzerland, France and Honduras.

Goalkeepers: Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC), Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito), Adrian Bone (El Nacional).

Defenders: Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Jorge Guagua, Oscar Bagui, Gabriel Achilier (all Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca), Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona SC).

Midfielders: Oswaldo Minda (Chivas USA), Carlos Gruezo (Stuttgart), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem), Cristian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Saritama (Barcelona SC), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Edison Mendez (Independiente Santa Fe), Fidel Martinez (Tijuana), Michael Arroyo (Atlante).

Forwards: Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira), Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul), Jaime Ayovi (Tijuana), Enner Valencia (Pachuca).