Hope for Ayala

June 3, 2002

Roberto Ayala's thigh injury is not as serious as was initially suspected and he could be fit to play against England on Friday.

The Argentina defender - who fouled Michael Owen for England's penalty in 1998 World Cup match - limped out of the warm-up for Sunday's match with Nigeria after pulling a thigh muscle.

He was replaced by Diego Placente as the highly-rated South American team opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over the Super Eagles.

It was at first thought that Ayala would be unlikely to play against England - but the assessment of the injury is now more optimistic.

"He has a strain in his left thigh," said the Argentina doctor Donato Villani.

"We are going to evaluate his recovery day by day, to see whether he will be ready for the match against England."

If Ayala is not fit Placente will again deputise - and is relishing the prospect of once again coming up against Owen.

Placente played against England in the1997 World Youth Cup quarter-finals in Malaysia - a game Argentina won 2-1.

"Owen wasn't well known then," said Placente.

"I don't remember much about Owen in that match. I didn't mark him because he was on the other side of the attack. Pablo Aimar was brilliant and we were much better."

Meanwhile, Glasgow Rangers striker Claudio Caniggia is recovering from the knee injury he sustained during a training session ahead of the competition.

BBC Sport Online