Bulgaria have named their squad for their crucial 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Italy.

Bulgaria play Montenegro in Sofia on September 5 before traveling to Italy on September 9, both of which are must win games if they are to reach South Africa 2010. Italy are currently 6 points ahead, while the Republic of Ireland are 5 points in front of Bulgaria, who have a game in hand.

The 22 players selected by head coach Stanimir Stoilov will gather on August 31 in the Boyana training centre.

Stoilov resigned as manager of his club Litex Lovech last week after they were defeated in the Europa league. He stated that he needs to focus full time on the national team.

The Bulgaria squad:

Goalkeepers: Dimitar Ivankov, Nikolai Mihailov, Georgi Petkov

Defenders: Stanislav Manolev, Zhivko Milanov, Vesselin Minev, Ilyan Stoyanov, Kiril Kotev, Plamen Nikolov and Radostin Kishishev

Midfielders: Stiliyan Petrov, Dimitar Telkiiski, Georgi Surmov, Martin Petrov, Blagoi Georgiev, Chavdar Yankov, Ivan Stoyanov, and Stanislav Angelov

Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov, Dimitar Rangelov, Valeri Dimovchiiski, Valeri Bozhinov