Argentina play down Heinze concerns

Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze will be fit to face the Ivory Coast next Saturday at the World Cup despite sitting out the team’s latest training session in Herzogenaurach.

Heinze, 28, who missed most of Manchester United’s season because of a serious knee injury, managed only gym work while his team-mates trained in public.

Gerardo Salorio, assistant to head coach Jose Pekerman, said: “There’s nothing wrong at all. He stayed in the gym only to avoid any risks.”

Defender Gabriel Milito insists the team are in great shape, saying: “Argentina are looking good ahead of the Ivory Coast match.

“We are looking forward to playing a good match but we know that the Ivory Coast will be difficult to beat.

“The Ivory Coast have a lot of players playing in competitive European leagues and that match will be as difficult as the others in the group.”