Ferguson fears for Heinze's World Cup chances (24 Dec 2005 04:07 GMT)
Argentina's Gabriel Heinze is almost certain to miss the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday.
The defender has not played since sustaining cruciate knee ligament damage in United's UEFA Champions League draw against Villarreal at Old Trafford in September. Ferguson does not think the 27-year-old will recover in time to play for United again this season or for his country in the World Cup in Germany starting on 9 June.
"Every player would want to play in the World Cup, I'm not disputing that. But I can't see it myself," Ferguson told reporters. "I would have thought it was very, very unlikely for him to be playing this season. I don't think he will be available until next season, that's what my stance on that is."
Heinze, who joined United from Paris St Germain at the start of last season but missed the FA Cup final in May with a calf injury, has won 28 caps for Argentina and helped them reach the final of the Confederations Cup against Brazil in June.
source : FIFA