Romania striker Adrian Mutu, banned for seven months after testing positive for cocaine, joined up with their squad on Sunday as they left for Yerevan to face Armenia in a World Cup qualifier next week.

Mutu, who returned home earlier in the day from Italy, did not comment on his future nor his decision to train with the national team following his sacking by Chelsea last month.

This week FIFA allowed him to train with Dinamo Bucharest or any other club but said he could not play friendlies or official games during his suspension which expires on May 18, 2005.

Mutu's team mates welcomed their captain with striker Florin Bratu saying: "His presence among us is a good news. He'll back us and we'll make him forget for a while his problem".

Mutu scored decisive goals in Romania's 2-1 wins in World Cup qualifying Group One over Finland and Macedonia in August and September respectively last year.

Romania, who top the group with nine points after four matches, will play Armenia on Wednesday.