Algiers - Algerian national coach Rabah Sadane says he is far from being worried about injuries of some players in the country's squad for the FIFA World Cup with less than three weeks before the kick-off of the tournament in South Africa.
"Even if I don't have the whole team at my disposal now, I'm by no means worried over the injuries of some players, who are progressively recovering. We have today 25 players each of whom can compensate for a teammate's a possible failure to compete," he said at the weekend.
The national team started preparations for the tournament on 13 May at a training camp in Crans-Montana, Switzerland and will remain there until 27 May, before leaving for Dublin to play a friendly warm-up match against the Republic of Ireland on 28 May.
Several players are training since the beginning of the camp outside the main group because of various injuries, including Mourad Meghni, Madjid Bougherra, and the two newcomers Carl Medjani and Ryad Boudebouz.
These players are following a special programme developed by the medical staff, who are sparing no effort to help the players recover as soon as possible, the coach said.
"I remain confident that we will be ready for the World Cup," he added.
The coach said the four players would not take part in the friendly match against Eire. "I confirm that Bougherra, Medjani, Boudebouz and Meghni will not play in the game against Eire. I prefer to be careful and not take the risk of letting them play," Saadane said.
Concerning other injured or convalescent players, Saadane seemed reassured. "Rafik Saifi, who has been training alone since the beginning of the camp will be able to integrate into the group. Medhi Lacen, Rafik Halliche, Hassan Yebda and Antar Yahia will train with the rest of the group in the coming days."
A second training camp is scheduled from 31 May to 5 June in Nuremberg (Germany), after which the Algerian squad will play a friendly against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Algerian team will move into its South African camp in the town of San Lameer, 120km from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, on 6 June. Algeria is to compete in Group C, along with Slovenia, the United States and England
