A NUMBER of major stars are set to miss out on the World Cup due to injuries.
The unprecedented mid-season tournament has left players in the perilous position of knowing an early season strain could stop them going to Qatar.
Several have suffered that fate, with the likes of Portuguese stars Diogo Jota and Pedro Neto and French defender Boubacar Kamara certain to miss football’s biggest competition.
Others, such as Chelsea duo Reece James and N’Golo Kante, and Juventus’ Paul Pogba, retained vague hopes of making miracle recoveries – only to end up missing out too.
There are now so many players with injuries threatening their World Cup place an entire starting XI can be put together.
In goal would be the Argentine stopper Juan Musso, who has been crocked with a face injury.
The keeper, whose club is Italian side Atalanta, had facial surgery to mend the issue but could miss out on Qatar.
Doubts also surround AC Milan stopper Mike Maignan, who could start over Hugo Lloris for France if fit.
While Kepa Arrizabalaga is also a doubt for Spain.
In defence would be Kamara, who tore his knee ligaments only eight games into his Villa career.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
He would be joined by Barcelona and Uruguay star Ronald Araujo who suffered a thigh injury in September and is likely to miss out.
England’s left-back Ben Chilwell will be absent through injury, while SunSport revealed that Gareth Southgate told Reece James he won’t be picked despite his efforts to recover from a knee injury.
In midfield French pair N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba will both miss out – having hardly featured at all for their clubs this term.
The pair are joined in the injury XI by ex-Liverpool ace Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutch midfielder played just one game on loan at Roma before suffering a fractured tibia in his right leg.
Doubts have persisted about Kalvin Phillips‘ fitness due to his shoulder injury – although he now appears likely to be available.
Mexico’s Raul Jimenez has been dealing with a groin issue, but looks likely to give it a go despite having been absent for Wolves.
His club team-mate Pedro Neto will definitely be absent from the World Cup, however, after sustaining an ankle injury against West Ham last month.
Diogo Jota will miss out after he was stretchered off in Liverpool’s win over Manchester City last month.
While his former Reds team-mate Sadio Mane also misses out with a tendon injury.
Former Chelsea ace Timo Werner will NOT be available for Germany after suffering an ankle injury.
