THE HEINZE SAGA CONTINUES

Last updated : 24 August 2004 By editor

Gabriel Heinze was taken to hospital after Argentina's quarter-final success against Costa Rica in the Olympic Games in Athens. He is almost certainly out of his country's semi-final against Italy after limping out of the 4-0 win.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa confirmed: "He went to hospital to have it checked out. He seemed to have done some damage to his hips."

He has also been included in a 20-man Argentina squad for their World Cup qualifier against Peru on 4 September.

If Argentina do reach the Olympic final, Heinze would have just seven days between ending his Olympic duty before being due in South America to continue their World Cup qualifying campaign.

"It's up to me to win Sir Alex's confidence again. I can do it. I have faith that he will believe in me again." Heinze said

Heinze is likely to be called up for World Cup duty on three further occasions before the end of 2004. Argentina play Uruguay (9 Oct), Chile (12 Oct) and Venezuela (16 Nov) later this year.