Japan coach Zico has brought back injury-prone Yokohama F. Marinos striker Tatsuhiko Kubo to his party while calling up Sanfrecce Hiroshima forward Hisato Sato and Urawa Reds midfielder Makoto Hasebe for the first time.
Kubo and Sato are among the four strikers named to the 22-man squad of Japan-based players for a friendly away to the United States in February which was announced Monday by the Japan Football Association.
They will take part in a weeklong training camp in Miyazaki beginning Jan. 29 prior to the Feb. 10 match in San Francisco.
Zico called up Kubo in January and July this year but he pulled out both times due to injuries. Sato scored 18 goals this year in the J. League first division, the most by a Japanese player.
No overseas-based players are included in the squad.