Feczesin returns after near-eight-year absence

Hungary's head coach has selected Újpest striker Róbert Feczesin after the striker's superb form saw him score four goals in three league matches this season. Rossi has also decided to count on Krisztián Tamás, the left-back who is on-loan at Zalaegerszegi TE. However, Dániel Gazdag, who made his debut in the recent friendly match against Montenegro, is left out due to injury, as is attacker Zsolt Kalmár, who recently underwent minor knee surgery. Central midfielder Ádám Nagy has not played for his new club Bristol City in England since his last national team match, but Rossi has nevertheless kept him in the squad.

"We know we missed a huge chance in the match against Slovakia, even though the boys did everything they could to succeed," Rossi told MLSZ.hu. "Even today, with a clear head, I can say we were very unlucky in that match. Now, we have two extremely difficult games, which have become even more important than ever. We still have a chance to qualify but it depends very much on the outcome of these two fixtures, especially the second one. We definitely have take three points against Azerbaijan, while, on paper, it seems impossible to win against Croatia but we will still try to produce something special, all the while knowing who we are and who they are".

The former Honvéd and DAC coach has decided to call up two returning players because they are playing regularly and performing well for their clubs.

"I've decided to call up Krisztián Tamás because he was a squad member last year but didn't play regularly at Vidi last season. Lately though, he's been playing regularly for ZTE and has been one of their best players every time he's played. Of course, I have known Róbert Feczesin for a long time and have always liked his game. He's a true team player who works very hard for the team on the pitch, keeps possession of the ball very well and is extremely technical, so he can be a big help to the team if something happens to Ádám Szalai or he becomes tired. I know Robert isn't a young player, but he's in great form at the moment and he can help us a lot".

Újpest striker Feczesin, by his own admission, didn't expect to again be a member of the national squad.

"I'm very happy to be selected again," he explained, still sounding somewhat surprised. "I honestly admit that I didn't expect it, but I'm really happy to be able to be in this sort of form aged 33 and to have started this season so well for Újpest. It has always been a special feeling and a great honour for me to be part of the national team and this time is no exception. Now, I'm excited to start working together with my national-team colleagues on Sunday".

The Hungary squad to face Croatia and Azerbaijan:

Goalkeepers:

Dénes Dibusz (Ferencvárosi TC)
Péter Gulácsi (RB Leipzig)
Ádám Kovácsik (Fehérvár FC)

Defenders:

Botond Baráth (Sporting Kansas KC)
Barnabás Bese (Le Havre)
Tamás Kádár (Dinamo Kiev)
Mihály Korhut (Aris Thessaloniki)
Ádám Lang (Omonia Nicosia)
Gergő Lovrencsics (Ferencvárosi TC)
Krisztián Tamás (Zalaegerszeg TE - on loan from Fehérvár FC)
Willi Orban (RB Leipzig)

Midfielders:

Dávid Holman (Slovan Bratislava)
László Kleinheisler (NK Osijek)
István Kovács (Fehérvár FC)
Ádám Nagy (Bristol City FC)
Máté Pátkai (Fehérvár FC)
Dávid Sigér (Ferencvárosi TC)
Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Salzburg)

Forwards:

Balázs Dzsudzsák (al-Ittihad)
Róbert Feczesin (Újpest FC)
Filip Holender (FC Lugano)
Dominik Nagy (Legia Warsaw)
Krisztián Németh (Sporting Kansas KC)
Sallai Roland (SC Freiburg)
Ádám Szalai (Mainz)
Roland Varga (Ferencvárosi TC)

The squad members will meet in Telki on Sunday 6th October before travelling to Split, Croatia, on Wednesday, 9th October.