Argentina coach Gerardo Martino vowed not to risk Lionel Messi in Tuesday night's friendly against Ecuador in New Jersey as the Barcelona forward continues his recovery from foot injury.
Having handed a number of fringe players the chance to impress ahead of this summer's Copa America in Saturday's 2-0 win over El Salvador, Martino is expected to field a strong line-up against Ecuador.
However, Messi remains doubtful due to the foot injury that kept him on the bench throughout the weekend game in Washington.
Martino told reporters in the United States: "The third training day he was unable to wear the right boot. We all understand that the fans had hoped to see him play, but he was really unable.
"Leo always tries to play. We'll wait for his recovery until the last minute before the kick-off, but we won't risk him.
"If he remains this way, he won't play on Tuesday."
Carlos Tevez played up front alongside Gonzalo Higuain on Saturday, and expects more game-time on Tuesday.
"We have to keep working because this is just the start," the Juventus forward said. "It is always important for the players to be given minutes on the field."
Argentina - runners-up to Germany at last year's World Cup in Brazil - have not won an international tournament since the 1993 Copa America, and defender Pablo Zabaleta wants that record to end as soon as possible.
"The national team must win an important title quickly," the Manchester City man told Fox Sports. "(But) it will not be easy at all because of the form other teams have shown."
Gustavo Quinteros lost his first match at the Ecuador helm 1-0 to Mexico over the weekend, but is hopeful of reviving the team's fortunes.
"We'll try to get to the Copa America in much better form, but we mainly focus on the World Cup qualifiers," Quinteros told Ole newspaper.
"We have to organise ourselves defensively. We can correct this by working hard. In the Copa America we'll play matches similar to these two."
He added: "We are looking for a different direction and we need a long time training, several matches, a long time altogether.
"I liked the way we played against Mexico, as in several moments of the game the team played as I want - pushing forward and having good possession."
Source: PA
