ASUNCION, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Paraguay began their preparations for the Copa America on Monday as players and staff converged at the team's training base near capital Asuncion.

Twenty of the 39 players named in Paraguay's preliminary squad met for a team meeting and non-compulsory training session at the Ypane high-performance center, around 30km south of Asuncion.

Among those present was West Ham United defender Fabian Balbuena and Newcastle United playmaker Miguel Almiron, who have finished their 2018-2019 Premier League duties.

Absentees included Genoa striker Tony Sanabria, who will join the squad after his team's final match of the Italian Serie A season against Fiorentina on Sunday.

Paraguay head coach Eduardo Berizzo will trim his squad to 23 players by the end of the month.

The Copa America will be played in Brazil from June 14 to July 7. The Albirroja have been drawn in Group B alongside Argentina, Colombia and guests Qatar.