SOME OF the best strikers of the last decade will be kicking their heels this summer as yesterday’s provisional squad announcements for the World Cup showed there is little room for sentiment in selection ahead of the event in South Africa.

Brazil coach Carlos Dunga laid his cards on the table, announcing a final 23-man squad that is without twice World Player of the Year Ronaldinho and former Inter Milan striker Adriano.

Ronaldinho (30) was dropped by Dunga in April of last year after a poor run of form at both international level and for his club, AC Milan. He has had a much improved season for the Serie A club this term but has not done enough to convince Dunga he deserves a recall.

Adriano was top scorer last year when Flamengo won the Brazilian championship, but has struggled for form this term, and with off-field issues, playing in roughly half his club’s games.

Ronaldinho’s AC Milan’ team-mate Alexandre Pato has also failed to win selection after a less-than-impressive season in Italy, with Wolfsburg striker Grafite a surprise inclusion.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Heurelho Gomes is one of the three goalkeepers named after a string of fine performances for the London club in their rise to fourth spot in the Premier League table.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has remained true to his word by rewarding the players who helped the Azzurri claim top spot in Group Eight ahead of the Republic of Ireland with both Francesco Totti and Juventus veteran Alessandro Del Piero failing to make the 30-man provisional squad.

There is also no place for Roma forward Luca Toni, with former Manchester United player Giuseppe Rossi in as a seventh striker at the expense of Juventus defender Nicola Legrottaglie.

Ruud van Nistelrooy lost his bid to relaunch his international career at the World Cup after Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk omitted the Hamburg striker from his 30-man squad.

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira failed to make French coach Raymond Domenech’s 30-strong line-up named last night.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who has had his problems both on and off the pitch this season, also misses out, as does midfielder Samir Nasri, whose Arsenal team-mates Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna are included.

Chelsea players, Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda are included in the list of forwards along with Barcelona’s Thierry Henry.