Eriksson hopeful Drogba can figure 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.’’
FIFA were deliberating over the issue of the cast last night, but whatever the outcome of those discussions, Eriksson is hopeful that Drogba will play a significant role for his country during the group stage of the competition.
The Swede said: “We are rather confident that he can play part of this tournament. Tomorrow is eight days since he broke his arm and it is a short time, but we think he will take part in the tournament – and we haven’t called in any other players, so that says everything.
“I hope he can play tomorrow, but I am not sure about it. There has been a FIFA meeting today and the people haven’t come back yet. We will know later.”
Defender Yaya Toure admitted Drogba’s absence would be a huge blow.
He said: “Didier is a very important player for us. He is our captain and it is true that we need him.
“But the situation is complicated and we will see if he is able to play.
“But at this stage, the team is focussed, we know our strengths. We have formidable players in front of us (in the Portugal team) and it is not going to be easy.
“But we will give our all and do our best.”
For his part Portugal midfielder Deco is hoping his Chelsea team-mate Drogba will be able to play.
“I haven’t spoken to Didier and I don’t now if he is going to play tomorrow, but I hope so because he is a friend,” said Deco.
“He is a good player. He’s a friend of mine and a Chelsea player. If he plays, it will be good for the game. I hope he plays.”
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz says he won’t be surprised if Drogba does start.
Queiroz said: “After 30 years in football, there’s nothing that surprises me. Whether he plays or not, nothing would surprise me.”
The Portugal squad flew into Port Elizabeth from Johannesburg this afternoon and headed straight to the stadium to train, but they did so with Manchester United midfielder Nani back in Lisbon nursing a shoulder injury.
He has been quoted as saying he could be fit again within a week, sparking rumours that his departure from South Africa was for reasons other than his fitness.
They have been firmly denied by the Portuguese camp, though, and Queiroz was not being drawn into the debate yesterday.
He said: “Tomorrow, we are going to be playing the Ivory Coast in our first game in the World Cup.
“If Nani is ready in four days, that’s wonderful, but the most important thing is for us to focus on our goal tomorrow.
“So, with all due respect to Nani, that is what we are focusing on.
“We can talk about that (the Nani situation) later.”
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