China national team head coach Marcello Lippi has announced the 25-man squad for a friendly match and a World Cup qualifying match in June.
Lippi has called up seven players from league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande, with winger Yu Hanchao expected to make his debut for the national team.
Evergrande’s city rivals Guangzhou R&F, who are sitting fifth in the league, contribute three players to the squad.
Shanghai SIPG Cai Huikang – a key player in China’s defensive tactics, will miss both matches as he suffered an injury during Wednesday’s AFC Champions League.
China will face Syria in the Malaysian city of Malacca on June 13 for the 2018 World Cup qualifier. Six days earlier on June 7, the team will play a friendly match against the Philippines.
Lippi’s team retain slim hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals in Russia next year.
China, who have only five points after seven rounds and sitting in fifth place in their six-team group, have to win all the remaining qualifying matches – against Syria, Uzbekistan and Qatar in order to keep their hopes alive.
China full squad:
Li Lei, Zhang Xizhe (Beijing Guoan), Deng Hanwen (Beijing Renhe), Feng Xiaoting, Gao Lin, Huang Bowen, Yu Hanchao, Zeng Cheng, Zhang Linpeng, Zheng Zhi (Guangzhou Evergrande), Chen Zhizhao, Jiang Zhipeng, Xiao Zhi (Guangzhou R&F), Gao Zhunyi, Ren Hang, Yin Hongbo, Zhao Mingjian (Hebei CFFC), Wu Xi (Jiangsu Suning), Hao Junmin, Wang Dalei (Shandong Luneng), Wang Shenchao, Wu Lei, Yan Junling (Shanghai SIPG), Wang Yongpo (Tianjin Quanjian), Zhang Yuning (SBV Vitesse, NED).