Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa has injured his right foot during a J-League match for his club side Kashima Antlers on Saturday, casting doubts on his fitness for Zico's Japan side at the World Cup in June.

The 28-year-old forward, who formerly played for Messina, apparently broke a bone near his right little toe during a match against JEF United Chiba and was forced to limp off the pitch.

"I don't know how I got the injury. So far, I don't feel any pain," Yanagisawa told reporters after the match.

The Kashima Antler's team doctor Jun Seki said: "It seems he has broken his bone. It's impossible for him to join the national team's training camp (for a friendly against Ecuador next Thursday)."

"I cannot say before a close examination how long he would need to heal the injury, because it depends on the condition of the fracture, but it's possible he would be out of action for a long time," added Seki.

After further examination Sunday, Seki said Yanagisawa would need "Two months for complete healing and it's not certain whether he would be able to play the World Cup or not."

Yanagisawa is still hoping to recover in time, saying: "I still have a hope of playing the World Cup. I'll do my best .... as I have a chance."

Japan international midfielder Shinji Ono suffered a similar injury in June last year which left him out of action for more than six months.

Japan play a tune-up game against fellow World Cup finalists Ecuador at the Oita stadium on March 30.

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