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France winger Franck Ribery today became the latest big name player to be ruled out of the World Cup - and organisers fear there could be more to come.
Some major names were already absent before the 32 nations taking part named their 23-man squads for the tournament. Whether it was through injury - Theo Walcott, Victory Valdes and Radamel Falcao were among those crocked early on, or failure to qualify - Gareth Bale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are particularly conspicuous by their absence.
Yet with less a week to go until the World Cup begins, it seems many of those expected to play in Brazil could still miss some or part of the tournament through injury.
Today it was announced Ribery would play no part and among those struggling to be fit is the world's best player, the Premier League golden boot winner, the top scorer among the Spanish champions and the world's best goalkeeper.
Show all 8 1 /8The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo The Real Madrid player has the capacity to take Portugal deep into the competition all by himself. If he's fit that is. The Portuguese FA have confirmed the £80m man is suffering from tendinosis in his left knee, as well as a muscular problem in his left thigh. It's seen him miss the recent warm-up match with Greece and he's expected to miss Portugal's other remaining warm-up games. Portugal's first game is against Germany on June 16.
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The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup Robin van Persie The Netherlands forward has been forced to play down concerns after he was withdrawn at half-time in the recent warm-up match with Wales. The Manchester United striker said it was just a precaution, but that he was sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury towards the end of the season and reports of a groin problem persisting, the Dutchman has to be considered a doubt. Louis van Gaal will be keeping his fingers crossed that his side's leading striker will be ready for their first game against Spain on June 13.
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The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup Luis Suarez There is no doubt over the injury concerns surrounding Luis Suarez. The Liverpool striker underwent knee surgery and is in a race to return in time. Varied reports over his recovery have been emanating from the Uruguay camp, with England among those paying close attention with the teams due to meet in Sao Paulo on June 19. His Liverpool team-mates in the England squad have said they expect to face the Premier League golden boot winner at the World Cup.
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The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup Wayne Rooney England's talisman was shunted out to the left in the most recent warm-up match against Ecuador - but it did see him pick up a goal in the 2-2 draw. Questions over the Manchester United striker's fitness in the build-up to the tournament and that he was the only player to start both England's most recent games suggest there are concerns. He looks set to start in England's first game of the tournament against Italy on June 14, but will he be as sharp as he can be?
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The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain One England player certainly up against it is Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain. The youngster was hurt in the warm-up match against Ecuador and faces roughly two-weeks on the sidelines.
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The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup Diego Costa He might have been fit enough to pass a medical for Chelsea but there is uncertainty over whether he will be ready for Spain's first game of the tournament against Netherlands. Vicente del Bosque took something of a risk including the Brazilian born player who is suffering with a thigh muscle problem, particular considering the Spain manager left Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo at home. He and all of Spain will be hoping Costa can replicate the form that helped Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title, rather than see a repeat of when he hobbled off in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
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The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup Manuel Neuer The Germany goalkeeper has not played since picking up a shoulder injury in the German cup final three weeks ago and is a major doubt for the tournament. Easily the best keeper in the world, the 28-year-old will miss his country's final warm-up game against Armenia. If Neuer, who is yet to train with the team, is ruled out then Borussia Dortmund stopper Roman Weidenfeller will step in.
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The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup Yaya-toure.jpg The Ivory Coast midfielder is struggling to be fit in time for his side's opener against Japan. Toure has been struggling with a thigh injury since mid-April and has not completed a full training session with the Elephants. The dominant 31-year-old, Manchester City's star man in their Premier League title win, went to Qatar for treatment at the end of the season but has not been able to play in either warm-up game against Bosnia or El Salvador.
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Above, we look in more detail at those who are struggling to be ready in time.
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