England’s group opponents lose key midfielder to injury and have a further eight struggling.
ALGERIA coach Rabah Saadane is still regretting the loss of key Lazio midfielder Mourad Meghni.
The African’s – who face England in Group C on June 18 – have been told that their playmaker’s knee injury will not heal in time for the tournament.
Algeria arrived in South Africa yesterday facing something of an injury crisis, with eight other players – Rafik Halliche, Madjid Bougherra, Antar Yahia, Hassan Yebda, Nadir Belhadj, Carl Medjani, Ryad Boudebouz and Djamel Mesbah – all carrying injuries.
It is the loss of Meghni which is most concerning for Saadane though, whose side kick start their tournament against Slovenia in Polokwane on Sunday.
He said: “He (Meghni) is the centrepiece in the team for his technical and moral qualities. I wanted to take him to the World Cup but fate decided otherwise.”
Algeria also play the United States on June 23.
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