Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has been impressed by Fernando Cavenaghi’s form at River Plate, and days that he could soon be called up by the national team again. The 27 year old Argentinean striker has only played four times for the senior international team, and faces some exceptionally talented competition from the likes of Messi, Aguero and Higuain. His international caps all came during Alfio Basile’s second spell as Argentina coach between 2006 and 2008.
River Plate are currently playing in Argentina’s second tier of professional football, the Nacional B, following their momentous relegation last season, similar in importance and shock to that of Newcastle from the Premiership in the 08/09 season. The Buenos Aires based club have won the Primera Division a record 33 times, and will be looking to get straight back into the top division this season. At present, they sit second in their league behind Instituto, though the teams at the top of the division are closely packed, with just 7 points separating 2nd place from 10th.
Cavenaghi rejoined River Plate in the summer, and has enjoyed his return to the club that he started his career at in 2000. He stayed at River Plate until the 04/05 season, and moved to Spartak Moscow. Following this was a successful 4 year spell at Bordeaux, though he has spent the last two seasons on loan first to Mallorca, then to the Brazilian team Internacional, before he was transferred back to his childhood team in Argentina earlier this year. He has been in great form recently, scoring an impressive 13 in his first 16 games and captaining the team. Last weekend he was watched along with his young team mate Ocampos in their 1-1 draw with Rosario Central, in which Cavenaghi scored River Plate’s only goal, and Fernando will be hoping his performance was enough to secure a place in the national team soon.