Tunisia star Youssef Msakni to have surgery ahead of World Cup

Image: Tunisia are sweating on the fitness of their star player Youssef Msakni

Tunisia midfielder Youssef Msakni is set to undergo surgery in the United States in a bid to face England at the World Cup in Russia.

England's opening Group G opponents suffered a major blow to their World Cup preparations after Msakni sustained a knee injury while playing in a league match for his Qatari club, Al-Duhail, on Saturday.

Al-Duhail confirmed Msakni had suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the 5-2 win over Al Sailiya, and the 27-year-old initially believed his World Cup chances were over.

"Sadly this injury has denied me a chance to continue with my club and to play in the World Cup," Msakni wrote on Instagram.

However, Tunisia hope the injury is only a partial rupture which would potentially allow Msakni to recover in time for the tournament in Russia, which gets underway on June 14.

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The midfielder, who has scored nine goals in 39 games for his country, is expected to fly to the United States for surgery on his knee injury.

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Tunisia face England in Volgograd on June 18 before playing Belgium and Panama in their remaining Group G fixtures.

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