03/12/2001

INZAGHI WORLD CUP HOPES ON A KNIFE-EDGE

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi faces an agonising wait to discover whether his World Cup hopes have been jeopardised by a knee injury.

Inzaghi damaged ligaments in his knee during the 3-2 win over Chievo on Sunday following a collision with visiting goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli.

After leaving the San Siro in tears, he was initially told that a decision on whether he needed surgery would be made on Monday.

Now that has put back to nearer the end of the week, after tests at the Circolo clinic in Varese.

Medical staff want to see how Inzaghi's knee responds to rest before committing him to surgery which might well rule him out of Italy's World Cup plans.

Even if he doesn't go under the knife, he could be out for up to six weeks, but an operation could sideline him for nearer six months.

"The best-case scenario is that he will be out for five to six weeks," said vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Team-mate Andriy Shevchenko said: "We are all sad for Pippo. He has become reallty important for us, and I will now try and score a goal for him against his former club Juventus next Sunday."

If fit, the 28-year-old Inzaghi is a certainty to be included in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for Japan and South Korea, though he would face stiff competition for a place in the the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti will also be without Brazilian midfielder Serginho for up to a month after he sprained his foot. Tests on Monday, however, revealed there was no break.

[Onefootball.com]