Chilean midfielder Matias Fernandez needs surgery on his right ankle and will miss the World Cup, another injury blow for the talented South American squad.
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caption:Chile's Matias Fernandez, left, will not be able to play in the World Cup because of an ankle injury.
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Fernandez told reporters on Tuesday he would be unable to play in Brazil in three weeks. He said the ankle pain had been there for a long time, and only immediate surgery would fix the problem.
"I didn't know until Monday, they did some tests and they found that I needed an operation. That wasn't in my plans and much less so not going to the World Cup," the 28-year-old Fernandez said.
Another key midfielder, Arturo Vidal of Juventus, recently underwent surgery on his right knee and is uncertain to make the World Cup. However, team doctors at Juventus have said they are confident he will play.
Chile play their first match on June 13 against Australia. They also face reigning world and European champion Spain, as well as the Netherlands in Group B.