Soccer: Rojas out of Cup opener

Marco Rojas. Photo / Getty Images

Marco Rojas has been ruled out of the Junior All Whites' under-20 World Cup soccer opener against Cameroon after picking up a hamstring injury during training in Cali, Colombia.

Rojas, capped twice at senior international level and seen as a key part of Junior All Whites coach Chris Milicich's plans, strained the muscle in training on Monday and won't be included for the clash on Sunday morning (NZT).

"Twenty four hours ago Marco was about 30 minutes the warm-up and felt a 'ping', as he put it, in his hamstring," Milicich said.

"He stopped training straight away and the medical staff got on to him very quickly.

"They are evaluating him but it sounds like he's definitely out of the first game which is very disappointing for the coaching staff, for the team and especially for Marco himself."

"The doctor and physio will make another assessment on Marco in the morning.

"The physio will be doing a lot of work with him tonight, and at this stage my understanding is that Marco will play some part in game two against Uruguay and be fit for game three against Portugal."

While the loss of Rojas is a significant blow for the Junior All Whites, a potential crisis of injuries to attacking players seems to be easing with Dakota Lucas, Ryan Cain and Sean Lovemore all making progress from knocks sustained in warm up games.

Cain sustained a knee injury in Auckland against the Wellington Phoenix while Lovemore strained a quad and Lucas took a kick to the calf in games against Ventura County and Southern California respectively.

"Dakota Lucas took a nasty kick but is 100 per cent okay now and Sean Lovemore has come through and is eligible for selection.

"Ryan Cain goes into his contact session tomorrow so apart from Marco we are definitely getting full strength back on board which is pleasing.

"We've had a run of injuries to certain players. It's just bad luck - nothing anyone could've done about it really," Milicich said.

- NZPA