McCarthy has not played for South Africa since January 2006

Striker Benni McCarthy has been included in South Africa's 19-man squad for next month's Nations Cup qualifier against Chad.

The Blackburn Rovers ace, who has not played for Bafana Bafana since January last year, was included for the Group 11 tie in Durban on 2 June.

His international future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months as he has not played for his country since the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt.

McCarthy has enjoyed a superb debut season in the Premiership since joining Blackburn from Porto in July last year.

He finished second in the scoring charts after scoring 18 league goals to finish behind Chelsea�s Ivorian forward Didier Drogba.

Influential midfielders Steven Pienaar and Siyabonga Nkosi have both been excluded because of injury.

A second-string South Africa team will compete in the Cosafa Cup this weekend.

The Europe-based players will join the team return for a training camp in Johannesburg on Monday prior to flying to Durban for the Chad game.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Calvin Marlin (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers, England), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos, Greece), Ricardo Katza (SuperSport United), Cyril Nzama (Kaizer Chiefs), Benson Mhlongo, Vuyo Mere (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bradley Carnell (Karlsruhe, Germany)

Midfielders: Delron Buckley (FC Basle, Switzerland), Elrio Van Heerden (Club Brugge, Belgium), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Godfrey Sapula, Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates)