Injured Swiss Behrami facing early World Cup exit

BAD BERTRICH, Germany, June 15: Switzerland are considering dropping Lazio defender Valon Behrami from their World Cup squad following several failed attempts to deal with the right-back's lingering groin strain.

Behrami, 21, trained with the rest of the World Cup squad for the first time on Wednesday but was forced to end training early this morning when the injury flared up once more.

''We think he has inflamed the adductor muscle running from the groin area to the top of the thigh, which makes it painful for him to run or kick a ball,'' said team doctor Roland Grossen.

''We will discuss his situation later today and possibly make a decision then. With this injury he might need a couple of weeks rest but by then of course the tournament would be almost over.'' Grossen confirmed that the Swiss had thought about dropping Behrami ahead of their opening game against France, which would have permitted them to bring in a replacement.

''We talked about it of course, but the extent of the injury was not clear and rightly or wrongly we decided he should stay,'' Grossen said.

If confirmed, Behrami's departure could seriously weaken Switzerland's options on the right side of defence.

Regular right-back Philipp Degen looked out of his depth for large parts of Tuesday's 0-0 draw with France and was himself forced to limp around for the last 10 minutes after bruising his foot after Switzerland had used up all their substitutes.

Degen was given the all-clear by doctors yesterday, however, and is set to start Switzerland's next Group G match, against Togo, on Monday.

Switzerland's final group game comes against South Korea on June 23.

REUTERS

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