Higuita back in contention for Colombia

South American football star Rene Higuita is back in contention to play the Copa America for Colombia.

The 32 year old who has appeared in two World Cup finals has been named in the Colombia squad to play against El Salvador in New York next month.

The flamboyant Higuita - famous for playing up field and his acrobatic saves - has a had an unusual career. He was jailed six years ago for his part in a kidnapping and extortion racket that saw him leave court in tears. The prison sentence was thought to be the reason for his upset but Higuita explained to stunned reporters that he was worried about receiving a short hair cut in jail. If his hair was cut he explained he would lose a lucrative bet with team mates in the national team about who could grow the longest hair.

The New York game is part of the Colombian preparations for the Copa America which starts in Paraguay at the end of June.

Coach Javier Alvarez has rested strikers Hamilton Ricard and Faustino Asprilla.

Goalkeepers - Rene Higuita and Agustin Julio.

Defenders - Jersson Gonzalez, Pedro Potocarrero, Manuel Galarcio, Foad Mazziri, Roberto Carlos Cortez and Rubiel Quintana.

Midfielders - Juan Carlos Ramirez, Gustavo del Toro, Freddy Grisales, Hector Hurtado and Jorge Bolano.

Strikers - Edwin Congo, Julian Tallez and Orlando Ballesteros.