National coach Abdullah Almutairi on Monday included Bimal Gharti Magar and Devendra Tamang in the 34-man preliminary squad for the two friendly football matches against Mauritius, set to take place at the Dasharath Stadium on January 29 and February 1.

Gharti Magar is returning to the national camp for the first time in more than a year. The 23-year-old forward had sustained a knee injury during a closed camp on December 18 last year. He last played in the national jersey in a friendly against Myanmar in July 2019.

He underwent treatment at the Aspetar Hospital in Doha, before marking his comeback to football as an 80-minute substitute in Machhindra Club’s 2-1 win over New Road Team (NRT) in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League on November 22.

Defender Devendra Tamang is also making his comeback after a two-year absence. A regular starter for Machhindra and a key player in the champions' qualification to the AFC Cup, the 28-year-old defender is likely to shoulder the defensive duty in the national team if he proves his fitness. He last played for the national side in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against Kuwait in November 2019.

Likewise, NRT midfielder Arik Bista has also made his way into the camp for the first time since his injury during a training session for the 2021 SAFF Championship while Sankata Club midfielder Subash Gurung and NRT midfielder Darshan Gurung have also made comebacks.

Jawalakhel goalkeeper Tikendra Thapa;Nepal Police Club goalie Satrughan Chaudhary; NRT’s Nabin Gurung and Krittish Ratna Chhunju; and Satdobato Youth Cub’s Aakash Budha Magar, Sudip Gurung and Sushil Rai have received call-up for the first time.

Rohit Chand and Nawayug Shrestha have not been included in the preliminary squad.

Preliminary Squad

Goalkeepers: Bishal Shrestha (Machhindra), Deep Karki (Himalayan Sherpa), Kiran Kumar Limbu (Maziya S & RC), Satrughan Chaudhary (Police), Tikendra Thapa (Jawalakhel)

Defenders: Ananta Tamang (Three Star), Devendra Tamang (Machhindra), Dinesh Rajbanshi (Manang), Gautam Shrestha (Army), Nabin Gurung (NRT), Suman Aryal (Army)

Midfielders: Ahyush Ghalan (Three Star), Akash Buda Magar (Satdobato), Arik Bista (NRT), Dinesh Hemjan (Army), Kamal Thapa (Himalayan Sherpa), Krittish Ratna Chhunju (NRT), Nitin Thapa (Manang), Pujan Uperkoti (Manang), Santosh Tamang (Army), Subash Gurung (Sankata), Sudip Gurung (Satdobato), Sujal Shrestha (Machhindra), Suraj Jeu Thakuri (Jawalakhel), Tej Tamang (Police), Darshan Gurung (NRT), Bishal Rai (Machhindra)

Forwards: Aashish Lama (APF), Anjan Bista (Manang), Bimal Gharti Magar (Machhindra), Manish Dangi (Machhindra), Suman Lama (Police), Sunil Bal (Machhindra), Sushil Rai (Satdobato)