Along with other big name stars, Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano will be forced to sit out the remainder of 2005 sidelined.

Mascherano,currently playing in Brazil with Corinthians, was recently operated on by team doctor Donato Villani. "He has had pins inserted in his left foot to correct a crooked bone in his instep, caused by a stress fracture," Villani explained.

Despite the blow, the Jefecito (Little General) was in buoyant mood following his operation. "Going to the World Cup is my dream, but it's still a long way off and I think I'll still be able to go. Everything went like clockwork, although I can't say exactly when I'll be back playing. All I need to do now is concentrate on making a full recovery."

Gabriel Heinze,Javier Mascherano,Javier Saviola and Javier Zanetti have all sustained recent injuries,all having been ruled out for the games against Peru and Uruguay next month, as well as the two friendly matches that the Argentine Football Association has organised fo November, against England in Geneva and Egypt in Cairo.

The Albicelestes may have already booked their place in next year's showpiece tournament, but each game provides an opportunity for Pekerman to tighten up his squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

The biggest problem for Argentina's medical staff is the injury to Heinze, a fixture at the back for both Manchester United and the national side.

A clash with Villarreal's Dutch defender Jan Kromkamp in a UEFA Champions League group fixture on the 14th of September saw the 27-year-old left-back rupture the cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury which could keep him out for between six and eight months.

This would see Heinze return to competitive action just 60 days before Germany 2006 kicks off on 9 June. "The only thing on my mind is getting back on the pitch as quickly as possible to make sure I'm ready for the World Cup," Heinze told the Argentine press.

Inter Milan's Zanetti was the first of Pekerman's squad to be injured after tearing an adductor muscle in his right leg in an Italian league match on the 28th of August.

Ironically, the experienced utility player had not been selected for Argentina's game against Paraguay on the 3rd of September and after spending 40 days on the sidelines, has now been exempted from national team duty in October.

As Argentina have already cemented their place at next year's FIFA World Cup, Pekerman has decided not to risk a player who has more than proved himself on the international stage. Another player who will be taking no further part in Argentina's remaining qualifying games is Saviola.

After a summer of uncertainty surrounding his future at Barcelona, the Conejito, (Little Rabbit), was looking forward to getting some games under his belt at new club Sevilla ahead of the matches against Peru and Uruguay.

It was not to be, however, as minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute in the game against Villarreal on the 11th of September, Saviola strained the external lateral ligament in his left knee in a clash with the opposing keeper and will be out of action for a month. A weird coincidence saw key Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme have to leave the field of play in the same Spanish league game.

Fortunately for Pekerman and Argentina, Riquelme's injury was no more serious than a sprained left ankle and he will definitely be fit for the games in Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

The player himself was deeply upset to miss out as Villarreal made their Champions League debut against Manchester United, the game which saw his international colleague Heinze sustain his injury.

To add to Pekerman's woes, defender Martín Demichelis, due to start at centre-back in the 18th of August friendly against Hungary, tore an ankle ligament in training just prior to the match.

Hernan Crespo's thigh strain, meanwhile, saw him miss the Paraguay game and replacement Luciano Galletti was also ruled out through injury. All three should be fully fit in time for Argentina's next game. The Argentinian coach will be hoping that he doesn't run over any black cats in the not too distant future!