Colombia held out hope that James Rodriguez would be fit to take on England on Tuesday after MRI scan results released on Saturday showed minor swelling but no serious injury to his right soleus calf muscle.
James, who left Thursday’s 1-0 win over Senegal after 30 minutes with muscle pain in his left calf, did not participate in training sessions on Friday or Saturday.
After being substituted for Luis Fernando Muriel, James was seen punching the turf in frustration before looking upset as he went straight to the dressing room.
“The situation is tough for the team — it is not an easy situation,” Pekerman said after the game. “He trained normally up until yesterday and even yesterday he stayed after practice, as he always does, taking extra shots, free kicks, penalties.
“He has been in optimum conditions for all the recent training sessions and at the last, we had no indication he was in any pain. Now, sincerely, I honestly don’t know how he is.”
The 26-year-old won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup, and his latest setback came four years ago to the day since his wonder strike against Uruguay earned him the Puskas award for best goal of that year.
Colombia will miss James’ creativity and ability on the ball if he does not play after they laboured to break down Senegal before Yerry Mina’s 74th-minute header sealed the win.
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