Slovakia`s Skrtel will be ready for New Zealand

Durban: Slovakia World Cup defender Martin Skrtel, who suffered an ankle injury on Saturday, will be fit for the team`s opening match against New Zealand, the Slovak agency SITA reported on Monday.

The Liverpool player went off during a 3-0 friendly win against Costa Rica in Bratislava and was taken to hospital for a scan. "Based on preliminary conclusions, there is no damage to the tissue (in his ankle)," SITA quoted Ladislav Pavlovic, the national squad`s chief physician, as saying. "The ankle swelling is still significant and the injury requires treatment for more than three days, as previously suggested," he said. "Martin is a fighter and he will be fit for the first match of the tournament against New Zealand." Slovakia`s squad leave for the finals in South Africa on Tuesday and face New Zealand in their first Group F match on June 15.Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik, Slovakia`s most influential player, missed Monday`s group training because of minor problems. Bureau Report