Leon doubtful for Honduras

Posted Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by PA

Honduras have suffered a fresh injury blow after experienced midfielder Julio Cesar de Leon broke down in training.

The Torino player is to undergo a hamstring scan and is now rated doubtful for his side's World Cup opener against Chile in Nelspruit.

The news adds to coach Reinaldo Rueda's problems ahead of the Group H clash with key striker David Suazo also struggling to overcome a thigh injury.

Reinaldo said: "We have been taking stock of the situation and the results will be ready soon.

"Julio is depressed because of this situation and we will see how he copes with this pain. Doctors will say what will happen now.

"Of course this will make a difference, we have been working well with Julio.

"We will have to wait for the answer we get and then make any necessary adjustments over the coming hours."

Suazo is making encouraging progress and will be given a fitness test but, with games against favourites Spain and Switzerland to come, Rueda intends to err on the side of caution.

Rueda added: "He is on the right track. He has had his third training session and I think the outlook is very good for the team and fans in Honduras.

"It is a matter of making the right decision - not just for this match against Chile but the next match as well."

Honduras' injury problems began before the tournament when striker Carlo Costly was ruled out but Rueda feels the squad is well equipped to handle a few absences.

He said: "We have 23 players and two are possibly in danger of not playing.

"I don't think that is too much - we have to cope with these situations. You don't want them to arise but they happen."

Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios is fit to feature after making a full recovery from a thigh problem.

Chile talisman Humberto Suazo looks set to play some part.

The Real Zaragoza striker, top scorer in the South American qualifiers with 10 goals, has been doubtful with a hamstring injury.

The 29-year-old has trained this week and, although not match fit, coach Marcelo Bielsa has no doubts he is ready to return to action.

Bielsa, who led his native Argentina into the 2002 World Cup, said: "The player has been able to train over the last three days and he has been able to train fully 100%.

"If you are asking me if he in the same shape as before his injury, of course he is not.

"But if you ask me is he healthy, yes. He is healthy and he can now assume the same roles as the other players.

"I would never risk putting an injured player into any match in any competition for no reason - but this isn't the case with Suazo, although he is not in the same shape yet as before his injury."

Chile have not won a match at the World Cup finals since they hosted them and reached the last four in 1962.

They did qualify for the second round on their last appearance in 1998, but only on the back of three draws.

Bielsa is not concerned by the weight of such a poor record but, with his side's entrance coming six days into the tournament, is keen to get started.

The 54-year-old added: "I think we have done all the necessary steps to prepare for this important competition without major difficulty, or just the normal difficulties at least.

"We are fine and we are ready to begin."