May 5, 2002

Argentina veteran Claudio Caniggia is still hopeful of making the World Cup after flying to Italy for tests on the knee he injured in the Scottish Cup final.

The Rangers star damaged his right knee in a clash with Cetlic defender Chris Sutton on Saturday, and it looked to have scuppered his hopes of making a surprise return to the World Cup stage.

But Cosentino appears confident the news from Italy will be positive.

"Claudio told me that after the match he went back to receive this winner's medal and later he went to the celebration," said the agent.

"He also told me that he had to walk a lot in London at Heathrow and that even when he had to walk up some stairs his knee didn't hurt."

Cosentino added: "If the injury demands only two weeks out and he is called up for the national team he will not have any problem, if it is more, he will be struggling."

The 35-year-old's form for Rangers saw him sensationally recalled to the Argentina squad for the first time in four years and he looked set to return to the World Cup stage he first graced in 1990.

Meanwhile, his agent moved to absolve Sutton of any blame.

"Sutton didn't have any intention in hurting him, it was an accident," said Cosentino. "I want to make this clear because I've heard some things in the press that aren't true.

"Claudio didn't say anything against Sutton and he would never do that because he knows that these kind of things happen in football."

Onefootball