Heinze likely to miss World Cup

Saturday 24 December, 2005

Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Gabriel Heinze has been ruled out of next summer’s World Cup by his club Coach Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Manchester United and Argentina stopper ruptured knee ligaments in September and, though he is on the road to recovery, Ferguson does not believe he will be fit in time for next June's tournament.

"Gaby wants to play in the World Cup but I can't see it,” Ferguson said.

"I would have thought it was very unlikely he would play before the end of the season. My stance is that he won't be available until next year."

Argentina Coach Jose Pekerman has not ruled Heinze out of his World Cup plans yet, though.