KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) midfielder Natxo Insa is back with Harimau Malaya after being included by interim coach Pau Marti Vicente for centralised training for friendlies against Laos and India.
The Spanish coach has retained 20 of the 26 players, from the squad that traveled to Auckland, New Zealand, last month, for the training camp which begins on Nov 10.
The six new players called up are goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli (Perak), Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili (Terengganu), Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi (Selangor), Sergio Aguero (Sri Pahang), captain Dion Cools (Buriram United) and Insa.
Insa last featured for the national team in the Qatar Asian Cup in January, but his performance was panned by critics.
However the 38-year-old midfielder has been a key player in JDT's Asian Champion League Elite (ACLE) campaign.
For the goalkeeper position, regulars Ahmad Syihan Hazmi and Azri Ghani are expected to be given a challenge by former national No.1 Haziq.
Vicente also sprang a surprise by dropping long-serving left back La'vere Corbin Ong and listing Daniel Ting, Zikri Khalili, and Adib Ra'op for the position.
Skipper Matthew Davies and Azam Azmi are the options for right-back, while Dion Cools, Feroz Baharudin, Safwan Mazlan, Harith Haiqal and newcomer Ubaidullah are expected to jostle for central defence positions.
In midfield, Insa is expected to vie with regulars Nooa Laine, Syamer Kutty Abba and Stuart Wilkin.
Naturalised players Paulo Josue and Romel Morales are expected to lead the attack with support from wingers Arif Aiman Hanapi, Safawi Rasid, Akhyar Rashid, and Haqimi Azim Rosli.
Malaysia are scheduled to play Laos in a friendly in Bangkok on Nov 14 before meeting India in Hyderabad on Nov 18.