World Cup 2018: Scan boosts James Rodriguez’s hopes of facing England as docs confirm injury not as serious as thought
JAMES RODRIGUEZ is still dreaming of facing England in the World Cup last 16 - after Colombia claimed his leg problem is only muscle fatigue.
The 2014 Golden Boot winner lasted just 30 minutes of the group finale against Senegal but he now hopes to make the bench on Tuesday as scans showed "no muscle tear".
Rodriguez underwent a scan on Saturday, with the Colombian FA saying he is fine.
The statement read: "Hames Rodriguez underwent a scan today which showed that he is suffering from minor edema (a slight swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid) in his right leg, but there has been no muscle tear."
Bayern Munich loanee Rodriguez sat out Colombia's training in Kazan on Saturday, as did striker Miguel Ángel Borja.
But former Aston Villa flop Carlos Sanchez believes Colombia will still be a threat even if Rodriguez misses out.
The anchorman, 32, said: “James is our talisman but I am also sure that if he is not there, there is another who can also make a difference.
“All players are ready to play. I have the full confidence for anyone who replaces him that they will work as a team to achieve the result that will lead us to the next round.”
Sanchez, who spent the second half of last term on loan at Espanyol from Fiorentina, added: “We are not favourites.
"We play against the country where football was invented, with a team that has top-level players.
“But I am calm and confident that we have weapons to fight.”
A fit Rodriguez would certainly be a major boost for Colombia - but his injury niggles mean a place as a substitute might be the best he can hope for.
The Colombian staff kept the problem he sustained in the 1-0 victory over Senegal under wraps.
But this time the issue is understood to be with the 26-year-old's other leg.
Meanwhile, Sanchez also hopes Colombia’s know-how can give his side an edge over England's young side.
Many in the South Americans’ squad played at the World Cup four years ago unlike the majority of Gareth Southgate’s rookies, while the likes of Radamel Falcao, 32, and David Ospina, 29, have vast experience.
The one-time West Ham target added: “I think that will be important, to the extent that we can take advantage of it.
“We will try to make our team a wall that they do not pass.”
Sanchez has been nicknamed The Rock by Colombian fans who view the hardman as a key man on Jose Pekerman’s teamsheet.
That is in spite of Villa supporters holding the defensive midfielder in less high regard after a poor two-season stay in the Midlands which ended in relegation in 2016.
He has graced England’s home though having made a 19-minute sub appearance in Villa’s 4-0 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal at Wembley the year before.
Sanchez allegedly received death threats on social media after being sent off three minutes into the 2-1 loss to Japan with his manager consequently dedicating the win over Poland to him.
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And he will start Tuesday’s clash at Spartak Stadium in either a two-man or three-man midfield, depending on how attacking Pekerman wants to go.
On his red card, he added: “It was a very difficult moment, a lot of things went through my head. The most significant pain for me was to leave the field at the time.
“The support the team had for after the game was very positive.
“And the gesture of the coach to dedicate the victory against Poland, that was a very big motivation.”