Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 7y

Real Madrid star James Rodriguez could face Uruguay - Pekerman

Colombia coach Jose Nestor Pekerman has said it is too early to say that Real Madrid star James Rodriguez will miss the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay next Tuesday.

James suffered a calf strain in the warmup before Madrid's home draw with Eibar at the weekend but has travelled to join the national squad.

Speaking ahead of the qualifier in Paraguay on Thursday, Pekerman told a news conference that James would miss that game but could return against Uruguay.

"He is doing the same recovery process that he would do at his club, what everyone does in this situation, in accordance with the diagnosis," he said.

"With James we are going to look at it day to day, waiting for the natural recovery to take place. We have not yet spoken about timeframes. I just want to say again that we are doing everything in good conscience and in a professional way."

Pekerman said he appreciated that James had shown his commitment to the national team by making the journey this week but accepted that his club might have a different view.

There have been a number of club versus country conflicts involving James, but Pekerman said: "It is my job to defend the interests of Colombia. Clubs are the owners of the players, and some people will give their opinions.

"Everyone can speak their mind, but I believe we have always done everything correctly. We act professionally, respecting our fans, and giving our best."

Colombia FA president Ramon Jesurun told Spanish radio show El Larguero that his association had been coordinating James' treatment with medical staff at Madrid.

He said: "If he is not at 100 percent he will not play. Real Madrid's medical staff have been in contact with us. Everything is being coordinated with Real Madrid."

Asked whether Madrid had requested that James returned to Spain to continue his treatment, Jesurun said: "I don't know -- but at the moment he is here, and we are looking after him."

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