Karhan misses out for Slovakia

Former captain Miroslav Karhan was the notable absentee as Slovakia coach Vladimír Weiss finalised his 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup.

The 33-year-old Karhan is the only player to feature in all eight qualifying campaigns for major tournaments since Slovakia gained independence, but he will be unable to add to his 95 caps in South Africa after being ruled out with an Achilles tendon injury.

"He was the first player who deserves to go, but sometimes football brings you hard knocks and misfortune," said Weiss. Karhan added: "It's cruel, very cruel, but worse things happen."

Weiss omitted Ľuboš Kamenár, Ľubomír Michalík, Tomáš Hubočan, Mário Pečalka and Dušan Švento from his provisional squad, although AC Sparta Praha midfielder Juraj Kucka is included despite not featuring in qualifying. "He's shown fighting spirit and his recent performances convinced me to get him in the squad," said Weiss.

Slovakia complete their preparations for South Africa with a home friendly against Costa Rica on Saturday ahead of Group F fixtures against New Zealand, Paraguay and Italy.

Slovakia squad
Goalkeepers: Ján Mucha (Legia Warszawa), Dušan Kuciak (SC Vaslui), Dušan Perniš (Dundee United FC).
 
Defenders: Peter Pekarík (VfL Wolfsburg), Martin Petráš (AC Cesena), Martin Škrtel (Liverpool FC), Ján Ďurica (FC Lokomotiv Moskva), Radoslav Zabavník (1. FSV Mainz), Marek Čech (West Bromwich Albion FC), Kornel Saláta (ŠK Slovan Bratislava).

 Midfielders: Kamil Kopúnek (FC Spartak Trnava), Ján Kozák (FC Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (AC Sparta Praha), Marek Sapara (MKE Ankaragücü), Marek Hamšík (SSC Napoli), Vladimír Weiss Jr (Manchester City FC), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea FC), Zdeno Štrba (Škoda Xanthi FC), Juraj Kucka (AC Sparta Praha).
 
Forwards: Stanislav Šesták (VfL Bochum 1848), Erik Jendrišek (FC Schalke 04), Róbert Vittek (MKE Ankaragücü), Martin Jakubko (FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast), Filip Hološko (Beşiktaş JK).