Japan wait on Nakamura injury

Tokyo: Yokohama playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura could miss Japan`s World Cup warm-up against Serbia in Osaka on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury.

The 31-year-old, who is central to Japan`s plans at this year`s World Cup in South Africa, limped out of a J-League game at the weekend after taking a kick to his left foot."Right now I can`t put my boots on because of the swelling," Nakamura told a newspaper. "I`m just hoping it doesn`t swell up too much." "It was a scary moment. I will do whatever I can to be involved (against Serbia) as there`s not much time left (before the World Cup)." MRI scans showed no fracture or ligament damage but Japan coach Takeshi Okada said: "It`s a worry. We will consult with the team doctor and then make a decision about the Serbia game." Okada`s side face World Cup-bound South Korea at home on May 24 before flying to Europe for warm-up matches against England in Austria on May 30 and Ivory Coast in Switzerland on June 4.The Blue Samurai, who have never won a game at a World Cup tournament on foreign soil, have been drawn against Cameroon, the Netherlands and Denmark in Group E in South Africa. Bureau Report