Injured Nagatomo returns to Japan

Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo will return to Japan on Wednesday to have further tests on his dislocated shoulder.

Nagatomo suffered the injury to his right shoulder in a friendly against Celtic in Dublin on Saturday, ruling him out of Japan’s August 10 friendly against South Korea.

Inter could also miss the full-back for the start of the Serie A season if the injury is serious but Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni is worried.

“I don’t know how bad it is or how long it will take for him to recover,” the Italian told Japanese media, mindful of the third round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers beginning next month.

“I’m praying it’s not too serious.”

Nagatomo has already undergone tests in Italy after suffering the blow in Inter’s 2-0 pre-season win over Celtic.

Japan take on North Korea at home in the third round of World Cup qualifiers on September 2 in their opening Group C game.

Meanwhile, former Japan defender Naoki Matsuda collapsed on the pitch and was rushed to hospital on Tuesday with suspected heat stroke.

The 34-year-old, who played for Japan at the 2002 World Cup, went into cardio-respiratory arrest, according to his JFL team Matsumoto Yamaga.

Doctors rushed to Matsuda’s aid after he collapsed some 35 minutes into morning training.

Matsuda has played 40 times for Japan and made 385 appearances for Yokohama F-Marinos, helping them win three J-League titles before moving down to the JFL this year.