Deco: I hope Drogba can play

Jun 14, 2010, 14:50 GMT

Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Amid continued uncertainty about the fitness of Ivory Coast superstar Didier Drogba, his Chelsea team-mate Deco said Monday that he hopes he can play in Tuesday's game against Portugal.

'I hope he will play tomorrow because he is a friend and a good player and it will be good for the game,' the Portugese playmaker said at a press conference in the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth where the two Group G teams will clash.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz was more ambivalent about Drogba's fitness prospects. 'We are following what is in the media about Drogba and also have direct channels,' he said. 'But it's important for me to worry about my own team and my own players.'

Drogba is doubtful for Tuesday's game after fracturing his right arm in a friendly against Japan on June 4.

Ivory Coast coach Sven Goran Eriksson is thought to be unlikely to risk the iconic striker, with a view to saving him for games against Brazil and North Korea.

Queiroz insisted that whatever happens, the Portugal team will be ready for the clash in the so-called group of death, where Brazil and North Korea are also competing for the two places in the Round of 16.

'After 30 years in football, nothing surprises me,' he said.

Queiroz declined to comment on the controversy surrounding Nani, who has reportedly been replaced after suffering a shoulder injury, even though unconfirmed reports said he had failed a drugs test. We have to concentrate on the goals on the field,' he said. 'What counts is tomorrow's game and that's what we will focus on.'

He said that Portugal's own superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, and the rest of the team were in a good frame of mind.

@Cristiano Ronaldo as captain and as icon is ready and we are all ready,' he said. 'They are all really anxious. They want to play. They want to run. They want to fight. We have great team spirit and a wonderful team which is well-organized.'