Lima, Aug 24 (IANS): Veteran goalkeeper Leao Butron has been drafted into Peru's football squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Ecuador, replacing the injured Pedro Gallese.

The Peruvian Football Federation on Wednesday said in a statement that Gallese would undergo surgery after fracturing a bone in his right hand while playing for Mexican club Veracruz, reports Xinhua news agency.

Butron, 40, has not represented Peru since 2012 but returned to prominence this year by helping Alianza Lima win the national Apertura tournament.

Peru will host Bolivia in Lima on August 31 before an away clash against Ecuador five days later.

Ricardo Gareca's side is currently seventh in the 10-team South American zone qualifying standings, five points shy of the automatic qualification place with four games remaining.

The top four teams in the Conmebol zone will earn a berth in football's showpiece event in Russia next year while the fifth-ranked side will book an intercontinental playoff spot.

Peru have not qualified for the World Cup since the 1982 tournament in Spain.