IVORY Coast have been boosted by the news that Didier Drogba could be fit for their World Cup opener after the Chelsea striker returned to training today.
Drogba underwent surgery last weekend on a broken arm sustained in a friendly match and there were fears the Ivory Coast captain would be ruled out of the showpiece event.
However, the 32-year-old was back in training with a light protective cast and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes he could now feature against Portugal on June 15.
"If the match had been today or tomorrow, he wouldn't be able to play," he said.
"But it's in a few days. He might play."
Drogba is key to Ivory Coast's hopes of progressing out of Group G, which also includes Brazil, North Korea and Portugal.
The African Player of the Year scored 37 goals in all competitions for Chelsea last season and his absence would be a major blow.
However, the 32-year-old was back in training with a light protective cast and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes he could now feature against Portugal on June 15.
"If the match had been today or tomorrow, he wouldn't be able to play," he said.
"But it's in a few days. He might play."
Drogba is key to Ivory Coast's hopes of progressing out of Group G, which also includes Brazil, North Korea and Portugal.
The African Player of the Year scored 37 goals in all competitions for Chelsea last season and his absence would be a major blow.
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