Ivory Coast looks likely to take on Japan in their World Cup opener without the services of star player Yaya Toure.
Coach Sabri Lamouchi has revealed that the Manchester City player has not done a full training session with the squad yet, after missing the two warm-up matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Salvador.
Toure picked up the hamstring injury during his club’s final Premier League match against West Ham last month and has been on the mend ever since.
Despite the player having treatment at the Aspetar Sports Groin Pain Centre in Qatar and joining up with the squad, Lamouchi has admitted that his star may not be fit for the start of the World Cup.
“He ended the season with difficulties,” he told Jeune Afrique.
“He is yet to fully train with the group but he’s currently responding to a healing protocol.”
“We will do our best to make him fit to play against Japan in our opener. He might start or come in as a substitute. I can’t really tell for now," Lamouchi concluded.