Drogba to rejoin Ivory Coast teammates after surgery
Source: Agencies |
June 8, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DIDIER Drogba will rejoin the Ivory Coast World Cup squad after weekend surgery on a fractured arm, the Ivorian Football Federation said.
However, it is still not clear whether the African Footballer of the Year will be fit to play in the opening Group G match against Portugal in Port Elizabeth next week.
Drogba fractured the ulna, or inner bone, of his right forearm in a warm-up match against Japan in Switzerland on Friday. The striker had surgery in Berne on Saturday.
A statement from the Ivorian federation said Drogba would rejoin his teammates at their Swiss hotel. He spent the weekend in hospital, surrounded by his wife and three children, the federation added.
"His recovery has been extremely encouraging. It is suggested that, at this stage, all the signs are good and there is great hope the captain of the Elephants will be in action with his team mates as soon as possible," spokesman Roger Kouassi said.
The Ivorian squad departs for South Africa tomorrow. They conclude their preparations with a friendly against Lausanne today.
The speculation initially was that Drogba would not make the tournament in South Africa, adding to a growing list of high profile casualties including three of his Chelsea teammates. He averages more than a goal a game for the Ivory Coast and is seen as pivotal to its chances of getting past the first round. It also faces Brazil and North Korea in a tough group but is more than capable of producing upsets.
Elsewhere, Arjen Robben's left hamstring injury is not as bad as initially feared and he is likely to follow his Netherlands teammates to the World Cup.
Robben got the good news on Sunday after a series of tests at a hospital in Rotterdam. He injured the hamstring on Saturday in a 6-1 friendly win over Hungary.
"Therefore for the time being, I will not replace Arjen," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. "I want to give him every chance to still participate in the World Cup."
However, it is still not clear whether the African Footballer of the Year will be fit to play in the opening Group G match against Portugal in Port Elizabeth next week.
Drogba fractured the ulna, or inner bone, of his right forearm in a warm-up match against Japan in Switzerland on Friday. The striker had surgery in Berne on Saturday.
A statement from the Ivorian federation said Drogba would rejoin his teammates at their Swiss hotel. He spent the weekend in hospital, surrounded by his wife and three children, the federation added.
"His recovery has been extremely encouraging. It is suggested that, at this stage, all the signs are good and there is great hope the captain of the Elephants will be in action with his team mates as soon as possible," spokesman Roger Kouassi said.
The Ivorian squad departs for South Africa tomorrow. They conclude their preparations with a friendly against Lausanne today.
The speculation initially was that Drogba would not make the tournament in South Africa, adding to a growing list of high profile casualties including three of his Chelsea teammates. He averages more than a goal a game for the Ivory Coast and is seen as pivotal to its chances of getting past the first round. It also faces Brazil and North Korea in a tough group but is more than capable of producing upsets.
Elsewhere, Arjen Robben's left hamstring injury is not as bad as initially feared and he is likely to follow his Netherlands teammates to the World Cup.
Robben got the good news on Sunday after a series of tests at a hospital in Rotterdam. He injured the hamstring on Saturday in a 6-1 friendly win over Hungary.
"Therefore for the time being, I will not replace Arjen," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. "I want to give him every chance to still participate in the World Cup."
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