ASUNCION, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Shenhua midfielder Oscar Romero was among 23 players named in Paraguay's squad on Saturday for friendlies against Peru and Mexico in the United States.

The 26-year-old was joined by six Europe-based players, including Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almiron, West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena and Espanyol forward Hernan Perez.

The Albirroja will meet Peru in New Jersey on March 22 and Mexico in Santa Clara, California, four days later.

The fixtures will be Paraguay's first under former Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao boss Eduardo Berizzo, who was appointed head coach last month.

They are likely to provide the only chance for Paraguay's players to impress Berizzo for the national team before he chooses his squad for the Copa America, to be played in Brazil form June 14 to July 7.

Following is the Paraguay squad:

Goalkeepers: Roberto Junior Fernandez (Botafogo), Antony Silva (Huracan).

Defenders: Bruno Valdez (America), Fabian Balbuena (West Ham), Robert Rojas (River Plate), Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), Junior Alonso (Boca Juniors), Lorenzo Melgarejo (Spartak Moscow), Saul Salcedo (Huracan).

Midfielders: Robert Piris Da Motta (Flamengo), Christian Paredes (Portland Timbers), Miguel Almiron (Newcastle), Oscar Romero (Shanghai Shenhua), Hector Villalba (Atlanta United), Alejandro Romero Gamarra (New York Red Bulls), Matias Rojas (Defensa y Justicia).

Forwards: Derlis Gonzalez (Santos), Hernan Perez (Espanyol), Federico Santander (Bologna), Antonio Sanabria (Genoa-), Carlos Gonzalez (Pumas), Cecilio Dominguez (Independiente), Angel Romero (Corinthians).