Khariton Ayvazyan has received his first call-up to the Armenian national team; he will replace an injured player

Urartu defender Khariton Ayvazyan has been called up to the Armenia national team for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.

The 23-year-old will replace Ararat-Armenia defender Edgar Grigoryan in the squad after Grigoryan unexpectedly suffered an injury and was ruled out of the upcoming international fixtures.

This is Ayvazyan’s first call-up to Armenia’s senior national team. He previously represented the country at U21 level, making seven appearances.

The Urartu defender is capable of playing on both sides of the back line, although his primary position is right-back.

Following Grigoryan’s injury, Nair Tiknizyan is now the only natural left-back remaining in Armenia’s squad.

There are also personnel problems on the opposite flank. Armenia’s first-choice right-back Kamo Hovhannisyan will also miss the upcoming matches due to injury. Davit Terteryan and Artem Bandikyan remain available to the coaching staff for that position, while Ayvazyan now provides another option.

As a result, ahead of the start of Armenia’s Nations League campaign, the national team coaching staff have once again been forced to make changes to the squad because of player injuries.