Source: Team_Talk
Eriksson eases Drogba doubts
Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes star striker Didier Drogba could be fit for the Elephants' World Cup opener on Tuesday.[LNB] The Elephants saw their pre-tournament preparations rocked when their talismanic striker broke his arm in a warm-up fixture.[LNB]It was initially feared that the Chelsea frontman would be forced to sit out the opening exchanges of the World Cup as he nursed his way back to full fitness.[LNB]His absence would be keenly felt by Ivory Coast, with the weight of goalscoring expectation placed squarely on Drogba's shoulders.[LNB]With the Africans having also been drawn alongside Brazil, Portugal and North Korea in the so-called 'Group of Death', it is vital they have their top stars available.[LNB]Drogba slips into that category and his involvement is imperative if Ivory Coast are to progress to the knockout stages.[LNB]Eriksson knows as much, but the Swedish coach is confident he will have his most potent attacking weapon available to him for a tricky fixture against Portugal on Tuesday.[LNB]"If the game had been today or tomorrow he wouldn't have been able to play, but there are still a few days," he said.[LNB]"He might play against Portugal."[LNB]Eriksson has also played down any suggestion that Drogba's injury has disrupted his plans and forced the Ivory Coast to take their eye off the job in hand.[LNB]He added: "We will be well prepared and we are going to do everything to play well against the other teams."
