With limited player availability due to injuries, club commitments and MLS training camps, Canadian men’s soccer coach Stephen Hart said it was tricky to put together a roster for next week's friendly against Armenia in Cyprus.

Hart named 17 mostly European-based players for the Feb. 29 match, including star midfielder and former Canadian player of the year Atiba Hutchinson and veteran fullback Kevin McKenna.

"Putting this team together was extremely difficult," Hart told reporters during a Thursday conference call. "Injuries are one thing and having to deal with some clubs, because they are involved in promotion fight — it's been very difficult."

Still, Hart said he was glad to have the match, especially when there are few opportunities to get his team together ahead of the next stage of World Cup qualifying in June.

"There's certain players playing together that I'm happy that they're available," he said. "So all in all, I'm looking forward to it."

Hutchinson back in the mix

Hutchinson, who plies his trade with PSV Eindhoven, recently returned to full fitness after aggravating a knee injury during World Cup qualifying against St. Lucia last September.

While Hutchinson is back in the fold, two other players Hart hoped to have for the Armenia friendly are sidelined with injuries.

Striker Olivier Occean, whose club team SpVgg Greuther Furth is challenging for Bundesliga promotion, is hobbled by a minor foot injury, while FC Augsburg midfielder Marcel de Jonge will require surgery after rupturing ankle ligaments in a recent game against Nurnberg. A timetable for his return isn’t known.

Hart was hoping to only use European players given that MLS players are in pre-season and it’s a short timeframe for travel (the team will only have "a [training] session and a half" while in Cyprus), but Toronto FC midfielder Julian de Guzman was called into the mix because of all the injuries and absences.

Former San Jose Earthquakes defender Nana Attakora, who is currently out of contract but has been training with Scottish club Hibernian, was also named to the team.

Armenia ranked No. 41 in world

Samuel Piette is the one new face on the roster. The 17-year old midfielder, who plays his professional soccer with FC Metz in France, was a member of Canada’s squad at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

"He had a very good camp [with the under-20 team], showed very good qualities," said Hart. "At the time, I said to myself if I do get the opportunity, I'd like to bring him in with the senior players and see how he settles into the midfield.

"This seems to be a good opportunity to bring him in, see how he does in training. It's only a couple of days, I know that, but it will give me a good gauge for him."

Canada is ranked 71st in the world, compared to No. 41 Armenia. The match is set for Feb. 29 in Limmassol.

Here is the 17-man roster:

GOALKEEPERS: Milan Borjan (Sivasspor), Kenny Stamatopoulos (AIK Fotbol)

FULLBACKS: Nik Ledgerwood (SV Wehen Wiesbaden), Mike Klukowski (Manisaspor), Kevin McKenna (FC Köln), Adam Straith (FC Energie Cottbus), Nana Attakora (Unattached), David Edgar (Burnley FC)

MIDFIELDERS: Julian de Guzman (Toronto FC), Pedro Pacheco (CD Santa Clara), Tosaint Ricketts (FC Politehnica Timişoara), Josh Simpson (Berner Sport Club Young Boys), Atiba Hutchinson (PSV Eindhoven), Samuel Piette (FC Metz)

FORWARDS: Iain Hume (Preston North End FC), Simeon Jackson (Norwich City FC), Marcus Haber (St. Johnstone FC)