MOSCOW -- Diego Reyes has been ruled out of Mexico's World Cup squad with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Pachuca midfielder Erick Gutierrez.
The Porto defender had a right hamstring injury coming into the World Cup camp but failed to make the squad to play in either of the warm-up friendlies against Scotland on June 2 or Denmark last Saturday.
Coach Juan Carlos Osorio had given Reyes all the time he could to recover, saying on Monday that tests would be carried out and a final decision made on Tuesday.
But a statement from the Mexican federation in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Moscow confirmed: "The player Diego Reyes wasn't able to satisfactorily complete his recovery."
Reyes had been an important part of coach Juan Carlos Osorio's plans for the World Cup and appeared set to be a starter.
📄 | NOTA
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) June 12, 2018
Diego Reyes causa baja de nuestra concentración.
Entérate: https://t.co/xnpTsOyFGO pic.twitter.com/mkOfQxEkre
But his season with Porto was hampered by injuries and the 25-year-old managed to complete 70 minutes for his club side between the end of March and the World Cup camp.
Gutierrez, 22, had traveled with the Mexico squad to Russia as the squad 24th man, to be called on in case of injury. He is considered one of Mexico's brighter young prospects and play in central midfield.
The left-footed youngster is playing at his first World Cup and has been linked with a move to Europe this summer.
El Tri already lost center-back Nestor Araujo to a knee injury, meaning its two best right-sided center-backs are out of the tournament.
The Mexican national team trained in front of around 800 fans on Tuesday in Moscow, with Colombian singer Maluma present to greet the players and the coaching staff.
Mexico begin the World Cup against defending champions Germany on Sunday.