Soccer: McAteer hopeful after knee scan eases fears

After a tumultuous few days for Irish soccer coach Mick McCarthy there was at least some better news on the injury front on Sunday.

Midfielder Jason McAteer, who was carried off on a stretcher after a rash tackle by Hiroshima's Bilong during a World Cup warm-up game on Saturday, could be fit for their opening game of the finals against Cameroon on Saturday, the BBC said.

Initial reports had raised fears that the 30-year-old Blackburn Rovers player had suffered a serious knee injury but a scan revealed nothing more than bad bruising.

Bilong, a former Cameroon international, apologised for the tackle after the game, which Ireland won 2-1. McCarthy, who controversially axed captain Roy Keane from the squad after a furious row on Thursday, said on the BBC's website: "Jason's got a smile on his face which is always a good sign."

McAteer added: "I was worried that I might have a serious injury but that is not now the case.

"All I can do is let the swelling go down and hope it is right for Saturday."

Ireland, drawn in group E, will also face Germany and Saudi Arabia.

- REUTERS

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

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