The experienced Paraguay forward Jose Cardozo could miss the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ because of a calf injury that he sustained in the recent friendly against Denmark.

The veteran of Paraguay's 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cup campaigns tore a muscle in his left calf and suffered severe bruising, and he will not be able to play for three or four weeks according to the squad's medical team. Cardozo actually scored the Paraguayans' goal against Denmark in the 1-1 draw on 27 May.

Anibal Ruiz's side open their Group B campaign against England in Frankfurt on 10 June. In Cardozo's absence, the two obvious options up front for the South Americans will be Nelson Valdez and Roque Santa Cruz, whose own fitness has been in doubt because of a knee problem.

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