May 26, 2002

Claudio Caniggia will almost certainly miss Argentina's opening match of the World Cup finals after suffering a setback in training.

The Rangers ace aggravated his knee injury during his first full training session since joining up with the squad.

Caniggia has been dogged by the problem since the 3-2 Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic at the start of this month.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa was happy to gamble on the veteran winger being fit for the competition.

However, his participation in his nation's first game against Nigeria on June 2 is shrouded in doubt with the team's doctor Luis Bonini confirming he is still battling to be fit.

Bonini said: "He hasn't got a new injury, he is still recovering from the old one."

The 35-year-old is hoping to figure in his third World Cup finals and if he is sidelined from the Nigeria clash, he will be anxious to be ready for the showdown with England on June 7. 

Planet Football