Messi injury worry

Lionel Messi is a doubt for Argentina's clash with Serbia & Montenegro on Friday.

The Barcelona dynamo did not feature during Argentina's opening 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, but he was hoping to be involved in Gelsenkirchen.

The setback has cast doubt over his availability, but sources both close to the player and an Argentina spokesman confirmed that hopes were high that Messi would be okay.

"He'll have it evaluated in the next hours and we'll see. If it doesn't hurt we'll forget about it," said Argentina spokesman Andres Ventura.

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman could again name his team early and it is expected there could be one change.

Lucho Gonzalez has been used on the right in training and he could come into the reckoning with Esteban Cambiasso making way.

"The idea is to create more surprise in attack," Gonzalez said.