Canada coach John Herdman had a bleak medical update Saturday with goalkeeper Milan Borjan and midfielder Stephen Eustaquio joining star Alphonso Davies as question marks for the World Cup opener against No. 2 Belgium.
Davies arrived in Qatar on Friday evening after receiving treatment back at Bayern Munich for a hamstring strain suffered Nov. 6 in a Bundesliga game at Hertha Berlin. While Bayern said Davies' participation in Qatar was "not at risk," he has not played since.
"It's another calculation. It's an algorithm we're trying to process now of is he hitting his markers?" said Herdman. "It really is mathematics -- of what he can tolerate now through these next three training days to show that he's ready to start. Eustaquio is Canada's creative force in midfield and has been in a rich vein of form recently with FC Porto in Portugal.
Herdman said while Davies was able to take part in some of the contact work in training, "he's still building towards hitting his top speed." "So it's not something I'm losing sleep over," Herdman said. "I just trust that there's a group of guys that will come together in ways they have to do what's required."
His teammates playfully welcomed him back as the warm-up portion of practice wrapped up, making him run a gauntlet of friendly if firm taps/slaps. Herdman played his part, removing a ball from Davies' hand to help launch him down the human tunnel.
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