Mexico forward Carlos Vela will not return from injury in time to be included in El Tri's squad to face Ecuador and Paraguay in late March, national team coach Miguel Herrera confirmed on Wednesday.
"For the FIFA [international] dates, all the Europe-based players are being considered, except for Carlos Vela," stated "El Piojo" Herrera in a press conference.
The 26-year-old Real Sociedad player is still recovering from surgery on a torn meniscus picked up in his side's 4-1 defeat at Real Madrid on Jan. 31, although Herrera added that a comeback for Vela in La Liga may not be far away.
"I've spoken to him and he's about to return, to start jogging," said Herrera. "At most he'll be back in 10 or 15 days."
Vela ended his international exile for Mexico last November, when he netted twice in El Tri's 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in Amsterdam. His last game before then came in March 2011.
During the time in between, the former Arsenal player had refused call-ups and even rejected the opportunity to play at Brazil 2014.
Mexico faces Ecuador on March 28 in Los Angeles and three days later plays Paraguay in Kansas City. They are the only FIFA international friendly dates ahead of a busy summer in which El Tri will compete in both the Copa America and Gold Cup.