May 8, 2002

GLASGOW, May 8 (AFP) -- Rangers striker Claudio Caniggia is set to learn his World Cup fate on Thursday when he meets with the Argentina coach and team doctor in Rome, according to the club's website.

Caniggia limped off the pitch early in Rangers' 3-2 Scottish Cup final victory over arch-rivals Celtic on Saturday with ligament damage.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa and team doctor Donato Villani will meet 35-year-old Caniggia to examine the damage and see if the forward is fit enough to claim a place in the World Cup favourites' squad.

Caniggia saw a specialist in Bologna on Tuesday and told the Rangers website (www.rangers.co.uk): "My manager and doctor arrived today (Wednesday) and I am going to Rome tomorrow morning to meet with them. I will know my chances better after I speak to them.

"I have been working here in Italy for five to six hours each day. The doctor told me yesterday I wont be able to run for about another week but I have been exercising without running," Caniggia added.

"He said I should be able to train fully in about two weeks but I will need three or maybe three and a half weeks to be ready to play."

With only 23 days to go, it will be a race against time for the player, who played in the 1990 and 1994 finals but was not picked under the strict regime of Daniel Passarella four years ago.

The goods news was that initial fears of a serious injury proved groundless. "My injury is not as bad as I thought it was immediately after the game. The doctor told me the ligaments have just separated but theyre not torn," he added.