Pepe tipped to be fit

Portugal set for injury boost before finals

By Francisco Acedo   Last updated: 7th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pepe tipped to be fit

Pepe: Tipped to be fit

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The surgeon who operated on Real Madrid's Pepe believes the defender will be fit for the World Cup finals.

The Brazil-born Portugal international is currently recovering from the knee ligament damage sustained last December.

It had been feared the 27-year-old, who has 24 caps for his adopted country, could miss out on South Africa this summer.

However, surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha is pleased with Pepe's rehabilitation and is predicting he will be available fit for the finals.

"His recuperation is going perfectly and I've noticed the player is in good spirits," Noronha told Marca.

"I'm optimistic he'll be fit for the World Cup finals in South Africa. By June he'll be in good physical condition."