Caniggia given all clear

Claudio Caniggia's World Cup hopes received a boost after the doctor treating him claimed he would be fit to take his place in the Argentina squad.

The Rangers forward underwent a second examination on his injured left knee and Bologna team doctor Gianni Nanni believes he "will have recovered before the beginning of the World Cup".

But he added: "He needs to work a lot with Argentina's medical staff."

Caniggia aggravated the injury after clashing with Chris Sutton during the Scottish Cup final against Celtic. He travelled to Italy to be treated by the doctor who cured Roberto Baggio.

His manager, Pablo Cosentino, remains optimistic. "In the next hours he will join the Argentine national team in Formello, close to Rome," he said.

"Claudio will be examined by Donato Villani, Argentina's doctor, who will decide if he stays at Formello or returns to Bologna," he added.

Argentina's coach Marcelo Bielsa, whose side face England, Sweden and Nigeria in the opening group stage of the World Cup, named Caniggia among the first 12 players selected for the trip to Japan and South Korea.

Cosentino added: "Claudio was happy for that. But he's quite depressed because he fought a lot to be in the best shape for the World Cup, and this problem is bringing down all his effort."