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Roberto Ayala

Age: 29 Position: Defender Club: Valencia (Spa)

A rock at the heart of the Argentine defence, Roberto Ayala missed just one of the team's World Cup qualifiers to take the number of his international appearances beyond the 75 mark.

Ayala, who played in every one of Argentina's games at the 1998 World Cup in France, has been a consistent performer for Valencia.

He was a Champions League runner-up with the Spanish club in his first season having struggled to make an impact in Italy with AC Milan.

Although not the tallest defender around, Ayala makes up for his lack of height with superb technique and his quick reading of the game.

England's Michael Owen gave him a hard time at France '98, but it is unlikely Ayala will be caught out again when the teams meet in Sapporo on June 7.

Continually linked with a move to Manchester United, it's not difficult to see why Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson would see the stylish stopper as an ideal addition to his squad.