Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni on Thursday recalled Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo after an injury lay-off for the nation's upcoming home World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan.
But the coach had to drop another key full-back, Schalke's Atsuto Uchida, due to a fresh injury while star playmaker, CSKA Moscow's Keisuke Honda, remains sidelined having missed the two previous qualifiers with a knee injury.
"Of course, Honda is an important player. But we didn't even have Nagatomo against North Korea and Uzbekistan. We will manage to find a good balance," Zaccheroni said.
"It is my job to get the best out of the players available."
Without Honda, who powered Japan to the last 16 at last year's World Cup and a record fourth Asian Cup title in January, the Blue Samurai have lack inspiration—beating North Korea 1-0 and drawing with Uzbekistan 1-1 away.
Zaccheroni's latest 23-strong squad for the October 11 tie was otherwise devoid of surprises and included ten European-based players. The side will warm-up with a home friendly against Vietnam on October 7.
"I am very satisfied with our performances in the last three games," the Italian coach said of Japan's comfortable 3-0 home win over South Korea in August.
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