Eriksson hopeful Drogba can figure against Portugal

IVORY COAST boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is quietly confident striker Didier Drogba could play in today’s World Cup opener against Portugal.

A little more than a week after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured bone in his arm, the 32-year-old Chelsea frontman trained with his team-mates last night as his manager waited to hear whether he could be allowed to play wearing a lightweight cast.

Asked if Drogba will play in the Group G game, Eriksson said: “I don’t know, and I am honest, I really don’t know. Probably we will take the decision if he will start the game or not start a couple of hours beforehand.’’