Inamoto puts bolt extraction before Japan

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto could miss four World Cup qualifiers next month to have bolts removed from his left leg.

The Eintracht Frankfurt player broke his leg in a friendly with England four years ago and had to undergo surgery during which the bolts were inserted.

But Inamoto has complained of discomfort this season and wants to get the problem solved before the start of the 2008-09 Bundesliga campaign.

"My priority now is to get treatment for the leg," the 28-year-old was quoted as saying by Japanese media on Tuesday. "I'm in contact with the Japanese team officials."

Inamoto will seek medical advice on whether to have surgery to remove the bolts but his absence from next month's qualifiers would give Japan coach Takeshi Okada a headache.

A growing injury list is likely to rob Okada of several key players for Kirin Cup friendlies against Ivory Coast and Paraguay later this month.

Inamoto would make a natural replacement for midfield anchor Keita Suzuki after the Urawa Reds player was ruled out of the Kirin Cup with tonsilitis.

Okada's second spell in charge has been plagued by his team's indifferent form, culminating in a 1-0 upset defeat by Bahrain in March.

Japan take on Ivory Coast and Paraguay in friendlies next month ahead of four World Cup qualifiers, including the return match against Bahrain in Saitama on June 22.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer)

Email this article to your friend -