Ivory Coast: Sven keen to let Drog off the leash

Ivory Coast boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is quietly confident striker Didier Drogba could play in tomorrow's World Cup opener against Portugal.

A little more than a week after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured bone in his arm, the 32-year-old Chelsea frontman trained with his team-mates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth this evening as his manager waited to hear whether he could be allowed to play wearing a lightweight cast.

Asked if Drogba will play in the Group G game, Eriksson said: "I don't know, and I am honest, I really don't know.

"Probably we will take the decision if he will start the game or not start a couple of hours beforehand.

"He had a very good practice session yesterday with all the other players and he will do the same today, and hopefully he will be okay.

"But I don't know. The one who can tomorrow say yes or no is himself."

FIFA were deliberating over the issue of the cast this evening, but whatever the outcome of those discussions, Eriksson is hopeful that Drogba will play a significant role for his country during the group stage of the competition.

The Swede said: "We are rather confident that he can play part of this tournament.

"Tomorrow is eight days since he broke his arm and it is a short time, but we think he will take part in the tournament - and we haven't called in any other players, so that says everything.

"I hope he can play tomorrow, but I am not sure about it. There has been a FIFA meeting today and the people haven't come back yet. We will know later."

Defender Yaya Toure admitted Drogba's absence would be a huge blow.

He said: "Didier is a very important player for us. He is our captain and it is true that we need him.

"But the situation is complicated and we will see tomorrow if he is able to play.

"But at this stage, the team is focussed, we know our strengths. We have formidable players in front of us [in the Portugal team] and it is not going to be easy tomorrow.

"But we will give our all and do our best."

For Eriksson, Ivory Coast's fixture sends him back into battle with an old foe.

Four years ago in Germany, Eriksson's England were dispatched by the Portuguese after a dramatic quarter-finals penalty shoot-out, exactly the same fate as had befallen them in the European Championships two years earlier.

However, personal revenge will be the last thing on Eriksson's mind.

He said: "No, not revenge. Four years ago, we [England] we a little unlucky. But that's life. I don't have to think about that anymore.

"We all know Portugal is a very good football team with good stars, so it is not easy.

"But I don't think it will be easy for Portugal either because we have the same. We have a good team with a lot of good football players."

Life will not get any easier for Ivory Coast, who face Brazil in Johannesburg in their second match, and Eriksson is well aware of the value of a winning start.

He said: "I expect a very good football game from two very good football teams.

"I hope we can win the match, of course. The first game is very, very important.

"We start with a very difficult one - and the second one will not be easy, that's for sure.

"It's important to start well. If you can do that, it's a great advantage for whoever wins the game tomorrow."