Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has been called up by Argentina for this month's international break, even though he is still recovering from a knee injury.
The 26-year-old, who has been sidelined for the majority of the season, was out for over three months between September and mid-January with a metatarsal injury.
Martinez then featured in three games before he sustained medial collateral ligament damage in a 3-0 Premier League win against West Ham United at Old Trafford on February 4.
Man United's No.6 was initially ruled out for between eight and 10 weeks and has missed each of the Red Devils' last six matches in all competitions.
With this timeframe, Martinez is on course to make his long-awaited comeback in early April, but the defender could instead return at an earlier date.
Indeed, Man United have seemingly been handed a boost regarding Martinez's fitness, as he has been selected in Lionel Scaloni's 26-man Argentina squad ahead of two international friendlies this month.
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The 2022 World Cup winners are scheduled to face El Salvador at a neutral venue in Philadelphia on March 23, before travelling to Los Angeles to take on Costa Rica three days later.
According to the Daily Mail, Man United have agreed for Martinez to link up with Argentina where he will complete the final stages of his rehabilitation ahead of potentially making an appearance in their second friendly against Costa Rica.
Should Martinez return from injury to face Costa Rica, the defender could be in a position to make his comeback for Man United in their first match after the international break away against Brentford in the Premier League on March 30.
Martinez, a 16-cap international, will be joined in the Argentina squad by Man United teammate Alejandro Garnacho, who is hoping to add to his three senior caps.
Meanwhile, Man United have also received an injury boost regarding Mason Mount, who has returned to training following a four-month spell on the sidelines with a calf injury.
Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all targeting a return for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool, while Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial have been joined in the treatment room by Omari Forson.
Oliver Thomas
