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Update: Xabi Alonso May Miss FA Cup Final V West Ham - Could Affect Spain World Cup PrepsSubmitted by Scott Harkness on Sun, 07/05/2006 - 19:25.
Spain and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been injured in Liverpool’s 3-1 win away to Portsmouth on Sunday putting him in doubt of his fitness for next weekends FA Cup final against West Ham at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. Alonso had to be carried from the field after falling awkwardly in the 41st minute of the match and is now a major doubt for the FA Cup showdown. Scans have yet to reveal if it may affect his World Cup warm-up preparations for Spain. Alonso suddenly collapsed to the ground in agony while he had control of the ball in midfield and was taken off after it was clear he wouldn’t be able to continue. This could affect Spain head coach Luis Aragonés’ World Cup warm-up plans, with Alonso having been called on by Aragones for Spain’s 27-man squad for La Furia Roja’s World Cup get-together on May 8. Alonso, as well as the other three Spanish players at Liverpool; Liverpool’s clean-sheet record winning goalkeeper Pepe Reina, hat-trick hero from the play-off’s and midfield playmaker Luis Garcia and former Real Madrid and Monaco striker Fernando Morientes have all been called, but are not expected to make an appearance in Madrid as they prepare for next weekend’s FA Cup final against West Ham United on May 13. Alonso will have a scan at Liverpool’s training ground, Melwood, on Monday to determine the extent of the injury to his right ankle that has made him a doubt for the FA Cup Final. Rafael Benitez confirmed that Alonso feels confident that he will be fit for Cardiff but didn't want to make any predictions before the result of the scan. “Xabi thinks he will be fit for the final but we will have to wait and see what the result of the scan says,” said Benitez. “The pitch was a little uneven and it is a problem with his right ankle but we will just have to wait. “The most important thing from today is we continued winning. We must be happy with the progression of the team this season but we know next year we need to improve a little bit if we want to win league titles. “To get 82 points is fantastic and we are a lot closer to Chelsea. We think we can do something more next season and we have more confidence.” in favorites | email this page
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