Monaco striker Radamel Falcao Garcia has received a major boost as he was named in Jose Pekerman’s provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup.

Despite suffering a knee ligament injury in January, the 28-year-old was hoping to feature at the tournament finals and he has now been named in the provisional 30-man squad.

Boss Jose Pekerman will have no problems up front even if his star players fails to prove his fitness ahead of 2 June, when the final squad will be announced.

Namely, the Argentine coach is spoilt for options in attack, with the likes of Luis Muriel, Theofilo Gutierrez, Jackson Martinez, Carlos Bacca, Adrian Ramos and Victor Ibarbo vying for places up front.

Other star players include Jose Zuniga, Juan Cuadrado, Fredy Guarin and James Rodriguez, while River Plate hotshot Eder Balanda is also in the mix.

Following some impressive displays in the qualifying campaign, Colombia is seen as one of the dark horses at the competition, with los Cafeteros available at 5.50 (9/2) to reach the semi-finals.

Colombia will be vying the likes of Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan for a place in the knockout stages, and much will depend on their opening game against Greece.

Colombia provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe);

Defenders: Mario Yepes (AC Milan), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan), Pablo Armero (West Ham, on loan from Napoli), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Aquivaldo Mosquera (Club America), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Luis Amaranto Perea (Cruz Azul), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo);

Midfielders: Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Macnelly Torres (Al Shabab), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Edwin Valencia (Fluminense), Alexander Mejia (Atletico Nacional), Elkin Soto (Mainz);

Forwards: Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Luis Fernando Muriel (Udinese), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate).