AN ALBION star has been called-up to the Argentina squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Alexis Mac Allister has been named in Lionel Scaloni’s squad that will face Venezuela on March 25 and Ecuador on March 30, alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.

In January, the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder was ruled of action with Argentina after testing positive for Covid-19.

The Argentina manager Scaloni and Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendía also missed that round of matches for the same reason.

Lionel Messi has also been re-called to the squad, having also missed out on the first round of international matches of 2022 due to Covid-19.

Argentina have already qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Emiliano Martinez, Emiliano Buendía, Cristian Romero and Gio Lo Celso will not be available for the upcoming matches due to suspension.

Earlier this year, fellow Albion star Neal Maupay revealed he was eyeing a nationality switch despite making 35 appearances for the French youth teams.

He reportedly put in a personal request to Scaloni to consider selecting him for the Argentina national team.

He is eligible for Argentina as his mother was born in the city of Bernal and gained citizenship aged 18.

Maupay, who has scored nine goals this season, has represented France a total of 35 times across various youth level, but has never made the senior squad.

The 25-year-old has reportedly discussed the proposed nationality switch with Mac Allister.

"With Alexis we group together, and we have a great friendship,” he told La Nacion.

"On his last call to the national team I told him to talk to the coach about me, to tell him that there is a French nationalised Argentine who wants to play there."

Former Manchester City star Sergio Agüero has also revealed that he will be part of Argentina’s backroom staff at the World Cup in Qatar this year.

Agüero announced his retirement in December because of a heart condition, after an 18-year career during which he scored more than 400 goals.