Pre-World Cup injury report

I would be interested to know if the run-up to the World Cup this year is unique in terms of the number of World Cup-ending injuries to key or marquee players. It seemed to start last year with the horrific crash that U.S. striker Charlie Davies was involved in, which prevented him from playing. Then Beckham went down with a torn Achilles. Then Michael Ballack, Germany's
captain, got knocked out while playing for Chelsea. Another Chelsea player, Michael Essien, can't play for Ghana.

And the list goes on. English captain Rio Ferdinand (see more below*) suffered a knee injury in practice and he's out. Nani of Portugal, who would have paired with Ronaldo, fell on his shoulder being too cute in practice -- and HE's out. Didier Drogba, also from Chelsea, got an arm broken in practice, but had surgery and still hopes to play. And remember that Ashley Cole of Chelsea broke his ankle and his marriage earlier this season, but he's back and apparently ready to play (even has a new girlfriend, whilst his extraordilovely soon-to-be-ex-wife Cheryl Cole dances and dallies with Derek Hough).

*Speaking of Ferdinand: he became captain after the standing captain, John Terry (who plays for Chelsea!!!), suffered a self-inflicted libido wound by bedding his best soccer friend's girlfriend, which came out in the media. But he's still going to play, and amazingly enough, he's still married, too!

Chelsea players really seem to have been hammered by this.

Here's some more World Cup injury news (I'm just grabbing quotes and not attributing article sources):

Examiner.com:
"Carvalho and Deco who both, on season, play for Chelsea FC, were injured at the end of the season, but have already begun playing in pre-match friendlies before their first match against Ivory Coast.

Pepe (Real Madrid) will indeed join the Portugal squad in the World Cup games. Pepe had a major knee injury this past December, tearing ligaments and having to undergo surgery. He has been given a pass to proceed to the games by his medical staff. Portugal, has in exchange, dropped Jose Castro from the 24-man squad which is now 23.

The latest Chelsea curse alumni, John Mikel Obi of Nigeria will miss the World Cup due to complications from a minor knee surgery he underwent. The squad just doesn't want to risk the possibility of further injury to their midfielder."

Washington Post:
"Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo is resting at home in Milan with a calf injury that could force him out of the world soccer championship.

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar missed practice for the second straight day as he recovers from a back injury.

And American striker Jozy Altidore has a sprained right ankle that makes him doubtful for Saturday's tuneup match against Australia." [Altidore is now expected to play in the opener against England.]

Soccer Fanhouse:
"Germany is also without keeper Rene Adler. France is missing Lassana Diarra."

www.premierleague.com:
"Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Wilson Palacios is a doubt for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The Honduras star picked up a shin injury in his side's 3-0 defeat by Romania in their last warm-up match before the finals.

West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami is also a doubt after picking up a hamstring injury in Switzerland's 1-1 draw with Italy. [Coach still hopeful; he's got 8 days before the first match]

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is breathing a sigh of relief after learning an ankle injury will not keep him out of the tournament. Skrtel limped out of Slovakia's 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica after only 16 minutes and was taken to hospital for scans. But Skrtel has been told he needs only a few days' rest before he returns. "It is not too bad, it is just a gash," said Skrtel. "I think
that in a few days it will be okay."

The Netherlands have an injury concern in Everton centre-back John Heitinga. He was substituted after an hour of a 6-1 win against Hungary and his ankle was immediately
wrapped in ice.

Former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben is a major doubt for Holland after suffering a hamstring injury against the Hungarians."

Start the games already, before they all get hurt!