June 19, 2010 10:42 PM 
Drogba expected to start for Ivory Coast
- Posted by John Molinaro
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Slovakia vs. Paraguay
Injury front: Slovakian winger Miroslav Stoch is expected to start after recovering from a minor knee injury.
Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz, who has a muscle problem, might be used as a sub, like he was against Italy. Midfielder Jonathan Santana is struggling with a thigh problem.
Midfielder Victor Caceres earned a yellow card in Paraguay's previous match. If he receives another against Slovakia, he will be suspended for his country's final game of the group stage.
Midfielder Zdenko Strba is in a similar predicament for Slovakia.
Italy vs. New Zealand
Injury front: Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will be replaced by Cagliari's Federico Marchetti. Buffon is suffering from a herniated disc in his back. Playmaker Andrea Pirlo remains sidelined by a calf problem.
New Zealand midfielder Tim Brown is expected to be available after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Suspension watch: Winger Mauro Camoranesi earned a yellow card in Italy's previous match. If he receives another against New Zealand, he will be suspended for his country's final game of the group stage.
Defenders Tony Lochhead and Winston Reid are in a similar predicament for New Zealand.
Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
Injury front: After coming off the bench in the second half against Portugal, Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba is expected to return to the starting line-up. Drogba was used as a sub against the Portuguese just 11 days after breaking a bone in his arm.
Suspension watch: Midfielder Ramires earned a yellow card in Brazil's previous match. If he picks one up against the Ivory Coast, he will be suspended for his country's final game of the group stage.
Defender Guy Demel and Didier Zokora are in a similar predicament for the Ivory Coast.
Injury front: Slovakian winger Miroslav Stoch is expected to start after recovering from a minor knee injury.
Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz, who has a muscle problem, might be used as a sub, like he was against Italy. Midfielder Jonathan Santana is struggling with a thigh problem.
Midfielder Victor Caceres earned a yellow card in Paraguay's previous match. If he receives another against Slovakia, he will be suspended for his country's final game of the group stage.
Midfielder Zdenko Strba is in a similar predicament for Slovakia.
Italy vs. New Zealand
Injury front: Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will be replaced by Cagliari's Federico Marchetti. Buffon is suffering from a herniated disc in his back. Playmaker Andrea Pirlo remains sidelined by a calf problem.
New Zealand midfielder Tim Brown is expected to be available after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Suspension watch: Winger Mauro Camoranesi earned a yellow card in Italy's previous match. If he receives another against New Zealand, he will be suspended for his country's final game of the group stage.
Defenders Tony Lochhead and Winston Reid are in a similar predicament for New Zealand.
Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
Injury front: After coming off the bench in the second half against Portugal, Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba is expected to return to the starting line-up. Drogba was used as a sub against the Portuguese just 11 days after breaking a bone in his arm.
Suspension watch: Midfielder Ramires earned a yellow card in Brazil's previous match. If he picks one up against the Ivory Coast, he will be suspended for his country's final game of the group stage.
Defender Guy Demel and Didier Zokora are in a similar predicament for the Ivory Coast.
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About the Author
John Molinaro
John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBCSports.ca whose chief love is soccer.
John served as senior editor of CBC's 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup website and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. His work on CBC Sports Online's Euro 2004 site earned him a CBC.ca Award of Excellence.
He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College.
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