World Cup Players Keeping those Scan Machines Busy

May 25th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

While fans in England wait for the results of the scan on Wayne Rooney’s damaged foot, Spain’s fans received some bad scan news today when they learned that a scan revealed that defender Asier Del Horno could be out for the World Cup thanks to a tendon tear he suffered during training.

Said Spain’s team doctor: “We will do further tests on Tuesday. We have to be realistic. I hope it heals but I have my doubts. It could put his participation in the finals in doubt.”

Also in doubt is Del Horno’s partner on the backline Michel Salgado who is hobbled by an ankle injury. Suddenly, Spain’s chances are starting to look a little grim, although a positive scan or two could change all that.

Vladimir Smicer might also be out of the World Cup. The Czech Republic player suffered a blot clot in his leg on Tuesday, forcing the team to bring in Libor Sionko just in case Smicer can’t play in Germany.

Switzerland has also been forced to shuffle its World Cup squad now that striker Johan Vonlanthen might be out for a month, pending results from, what else, a scan on his hamstring. The Swiss have called in Hakan Yakin to be a possible replacement for Vonlanthem if the scan results are not favorable.

Serbia and Montenegro might need to make some changes as well. Striker Mirko Vucinic injured his knee during a U-21 match on Tuesday. At this point his status is unknown, but you can bet he’ll have a scan or two before he is ruled in or ruled out of playing in Germany.

The news isn’t good for England back-up keeper Robert Green who had to be carried off on a stretcher after hurting his grown in England’s B Game against Belarus on Thursday. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said after the game that it is unlikely that Green will be able to play in the World Cup.

The United States have been forced to replace defender Cory Gibbs with Greg Berhalter after Gibbs sustained an injury on Thursday.

Germany also received a scare today when captain Michael Ballack went down with an ankle injury during practice. We’re not sure if they performed a scan or not, but the injury is believed to be minor and will only keep Ballack out for a couple of days.

The scan news was good for USA captain Claudio Reyna. The midfielder limped off during the team’s exhibition game against Morocco on Tuesday, but his injured hamstring turned out to be little more than a strain.

The news is also good for Tunisia midfielder Hamed Namouchi who has recovered from ankle ligament damage and is fit to play at the World Cup

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is waiting to see how quickly forward Sami Jaber can recover from an injury he sustained while training. I have no idea what he hurt but he might as well have it scanned since that seems to be the popular thing these days.

Sure beats amputation.

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Cajun Nick

Bad news about Del Horno for me. On FIFA’s official World Cup, there is a fantasy game,
http://en.fifaworldcup.fantasysports.yahoo.com/
and I had selected Del Horno as one of my defenders.

Granted, he’s on my bench at the moment, so I don’t have to worry about losing one of my starters before the Tournament even begins, but still…

I know that Del Horno has had terrible form for Chelsea this year, but in looking at Spain’s group and the possibility that the Spanish defense – as a unit – would keep pretty clean sheets, I needed someone to help me with those fantasy points.

But I guess that’s out now.
Walter

Spain will be in real trouble if both those defenders are lost. A shame. You never want to see players miss the world cup due to injury.
Raheel

Spain will definitely be worried by the injuries to their full-backs – Salgado and Del Horno , but I think they have enough quality in reserve to make up the losses.
Every German heart must have skipped a beat when news of Ballack’s mishap first broke.
For the sake of the Deutsche Land , I hope he recovers fast .
I wish Smicer makes it to the tournament because he is a class act for the Czechs. The injury to Vonlanthan must have been crushing to the youngster’s spirit but he must realise that time is on his side and that the future will offer him chances to shine for the Swiss team. Yakin’s call-up to the national squad is good news , though , as he is a gifted playmaker.
Walter

Cory Gibbs out for US and to be replaced by Greg Berhalter. That one hurts because Berhalter sucks donkey’s ass.
http://www.originalrudeboy.com/ Tomislav Chagall

bob, i need you to promote this clip:
http://uk.download.yahoo.com/pr/fu/oa/indianrooney.wmv

i know why the ivory coast (the elephants) is a darkhorse for me, haha
OPKO

Bob,

In addition to your other great categories, you should use this post to be the start of an “Injuries and Roster Changes” category.

Those of us who are evaluating last-minute changes before entering pools or laying down some coin would certainly appreciate a category that keeps all this info in one place, rather than visiting each team’s site for injury and roster updates.

Thank you!
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/winners-and-losers-of-the-world-cup-week.html Winners and Losers of the World Cup Week – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] World Cup Players Keeping those Scan Machines Busy [...]
jim comb

If Reyna can not play then Steve Ralston should take his place. He has played well over the last year and his cross is what the US has missed over the last 3 games. The US needs to be sharper to compete for the Cup.
Kipper

You may be right about Ralston he was a Bad MF and seems to gel well with McBride. But the Cory Gibbs thang really hurts, right on…Walter?!?