Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani is set to miss Valencia’s La Liga clash against Real Betis after failing to recover from an ankle injury, casting doubt over his fitness for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Valencia head coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed that the 35-year-old forward has been unable to train because of persistent pain and swelling in his right ankle despite intensive treatment.
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“Edi has done everything possible over the last five or six days to be available, but the ankle remains swollen and painful,” Gattuso told reporters.
Cavani sustained the injury during Valencia’s match against Barcelona at the end of October and has since been undergoing rehabilitation.
Gattuso said recent medical scans showed signs of improvement but noted that the injury continued to cause discomfort whenever the striker received contact.
The Italian coach said the decision on whether Cavani would be included in Uruguay’s World Cup squad rested with national team coach Diego Alonso and his technical staff.
He added that Valencia had not held discussions with its medical team about advising Cavani to skip the tournament.
“I’m not thinking negatively. I hope he has a great World Cup and that his ankle doesn’t trouble him,” Gattuso said.
Cavani faces a race against time to regain full fitness before Uruguay begin their Group H campaign against South Korea on November 24.
Uruguay are also scheduled to face Portugal and Ghana in the group stage of the tournament.
