MOSCOW, June 11 -- Panama's preparations for the World Cup in Russia suffered a blow on Monday when teenage midfielder Jose Luis Rodriguez left training early with a thigh injury.
Team doctor Samuel McCollin said the 19-year-old is in a race against time to be fit for Panama's first match of the tournament against Belgium in the southwestern city of Sochi next Monday.
"Jose Luis Rodriguez was unable to complete training due to the discomfort he felt in his left leg," McCollin said. "He had ice on his left thigh, but he could walk. Soon after that he walked without ice. The medical staff will be doing tests tonight."
Panama's first ever World Cup will also include matches against England and Tunisia in Group G.
Rodriguez, who plays for Belgian club Gent II, featured in the Central Americans' last two friendlies against Norway and Northern Ireland, in which they lost 1-0 and drew 0-0 respectively.