BUENOS AIRES/MADRID: Argentina are worried about the World Cup prospects of midfielder Giovani Lo Celso who had to be substituted through a torn hamstring during Villarreal’s defeat on Sunday in the Spanish league by Athletic Bilbao.

Initially Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was advised that Lo Celso would be fit in time for the finals in Qatar but later reports have suggested the injury is more complicated and the player might not be fit to play again until after Christmas.

Lo Celso, on loan from Tottenham, was one of Argentina’s key players in midfield, alongside Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul, in the qualifying tournament and his absence in Qatar would be a serious blow.

Argentina kick off their campaign against Saudi Arabia on November 22.

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three weeks. Scaloni lights a candle to each saint and hopes to receive no more bad news.

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