Aston Villa's forgotten man Ulises de la Cruz has been named in Ecuador's World Cup finals squad.

The 32-year-old had feared his lack of Premiership action would cost him his place at Germany 2006, but Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez has decided to stand by the experienced wing-back.

De La Cruz is one of five foreign-based stars included in the 23-man squad, along with Ivan Hurtado of Al-Arabi, Carlos Tenorio of Al-Sadd, Luis Antonio Valencia of Recreativo Huelva and Ivan Kaviedes of Argentinos Juniors.

Otherwise Suarez has relied heavily on Ecuador's leading club Liga Deportiva Universitaria, with seven of their players selected.

Ecuador squad:

Goalkeepers: Edwin Villafuerte (Deportivo Quito), Cristian Mora (LDU), Damian Lanza (Aucas).

Defenders: Ivan Hurtado (Al Arabi, Qatar), Giovanny Espinoza (LDU), Ulises de la Cruz (Aston Villa, England), Paul Ambrossi (LDU), Neicer Reasco (LDU), Jorge Guagua (El Nacional), Jose Luis Perlaza (Olmedo).

Midfielders: Marlon Ayovi (Deportivo Quito), Edwin Tenorio (Barcelona), Edison Mendez (LDU), Patricio Urrutia (LDU), Cristian Lara (El Nacional), Segundo Castillo (El Nacional), Luis Antonio Valencia (Recreativo Huelva, Spain), Luis Fernando Saritama (Deportivo Quito).

Strikers: Cristian Benitez (El Nacional), Felix Borja (El Nacional), Carlos Tenorio (Al Sadd, Qatar), Agustin Delgado (LDU), Ivan Kaviedes (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina).