Drogba not ruled out of WC – Ivory Coast FF

(GSM) – The Ivory Coast Football Federation have played down injury fears for Didier Drogba.

The Chelsea striker injured his right arm during a friendly match against Japan and was forced to go off after just 18 minutes following a seemingly innocuous clash with Brazilian-born Japanese defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka.

There were fears the captain of Les Elephants would miss the World Cup but the federation are confident Drogba will be able to play some part in the finals.

A statement released to Press Association Sport read: “He was taken urgently to a medical centre in Sion, where x-rays revealed a fracture in the player’s right forearm area.

“Didier Drogba’s state of health is the object of all the attention of the Elephants’ medical staff and of distinguished specialists.

“The Ivory Coast Football Federation stress that the striker Didier Drogba has not, for the moment, been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup.”

Reports suggest Drogba is currently undergoing surgery.

Earlier in the day a national federation spokesman revealed they are awaiting further medical tests but claimed Drogba could even feature when they kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal on June 15.

“He’s not at all out of the World Cup,” he told Press Association Sport. “He can still play.

“We don’t know if he will be able to play the first game – that depends on the verdict of the medical team.

“But he’s definitely not out (of the tournament).”