Paraguay forward Julio Enciso faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after suffering an injury during a 4-0 friendly win over Nicaragua.
The 22-year-old was carried off the pitch on a stretcher in the 25th minute of Paraguay’s final warm-up fixture, visibly distressed as he departed.
Enciso was in tears as he left the field, raising immediate concerns over his availability for the tournament ahead.
Paraguay’s World Cup campaign kicks off on Saturday when they face hosts the United States in Los Angeles.
Manager Gustavo Alfaro is desperate to keep Enciso in his squad, with the forward a key figure throughout the qualification process.
Alfaro said: “Hopefully it’s nothing serious and just the result of an impact, and that we can keep him and get him back to full fitness.”
The Paraguay boss added: “He suffered a double injury: first to his side and then to his lower back, which affected his quadriceps.”
Alfaro also confirmed the player’s mental state played a role in his withdrawal, saying: “He got scared and he had to come off.”
Enciso has been a regular starter for Paraguay throughout qualifying, contributing three goals and two assists during the campaign.
The former Brighton player joined Strasbourg in September and went on to score 12 goals during his first season at the French club.
Alfaro is eager for Enciso to feature in what would be Paraguay’s first World Cup finals appearance since 2010.
In a separate injury blow for South American football, Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi will definitely miss the tournament after sustaining a calf injury in training.
The defending champions have not yet called up a replacement for Balerdi, leaving a gap in Lionel Scaloni’s defensive options.
Scaloni’s side begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on 17 June, as they look to defend the title they won in Qatar.
