England opponents Panama dealt another injury blow ahead of World Cup opener
Jose Luis Rodriguez limped out of training with an injury to his left thigh, just six days ahead of the Central Americans' opening game against Belgium
ENGLAND’S World Cup group rivals Panama have suffered a second major injury blow with the likely loss of another star man.
The Central American World Cup rookies, who kick off against Belgium in Sochi on Monday, arrived in Russia without attacking midfielder Alberto Quintero who broke a foot in their final warm-up game with Norway.
And now coach Hernan Dario Gomez is set to count out Jose Luis Rodriguez who limped out of training with an injury to his left thigh.
Teenage central holder Rodriguez, expected to have a key role, needed intensive ice treatment after picking up the injury and is rated a serious doubt for Panama’s World Cup debut.
The 19-year-old, who plays in Belgium for Gent’s second team, faces an MRI scan and x-rays today with fears he could even be ruled out of the tournament.
That would be another huge loss for the Panamanians and comes after Rodriguez missed six months of last season with a cruciate injury.
Midfielder Edgar Barcenas admitted the loss of Quintero was a hammer-blow.
He said: “Alberto is irreplaceable and being without him is a heavy loss.
“We have to try to fill the gap but we all know he has been so important to us for the past 10 years.
“Of course we cannot kid ourselves. We know we are a limited team and have to do exactly what the coach tells us to do. We need to show a clear identity on the pitch.”
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Veteran striker Blas Perez conceded Panama are under fire over their lack of goals.
The 37-year-old has scored 43 in 113 games for his country but not found the net since the goal in the 1-1 draw with Costa Rica in October that took Panama to their first World Cup.
Perez, who plays his club football in Guatemala, said: “I think I am dreaming of scoring in this World Cup more than any other player here in Russia.
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“But we know we will get one or two chances per game, at most, and simply have to take them, because we will might not get another one.
“It is true that I have received a lot of criticism in the past few months because I have not scored.
“My answer is that I have been helping the team out more defensively, as that is going to be important here.
“But I feel good, excited, and have so much desire to show everybody what I can do.”
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