Ching given training clash stitch-up

HAMBURG, June 10 (Reuters) A training collision left US coach Bruce Arena with his only injury concern ahead of their World Cup Group E opener against Czech Republic in Gelsenkirchen on Monday.

Striker Brian Ching needed 13 stitches to close a gash over his right eye suffered in training yesterday.

''He had a collision,'' Arena told reporters today, but declined to say with whom.

Arena said this was the strongest US team to have played at a World Cup finals. This is their fifth World Cup finals in a row.

''On paper, we look to be a stronger team than we've ever fielded before,'' he said.

''Are we ready to win the World Cup? No, but we're moving in the right direction.'' The US also face group favourites Italy in Kaiserlautern on June 17 and Ghana on Nuremberg on June 22.

REUTERS PDS BD2007