Paraguay have dismissed suggestions that Oscar Cardozo could be out of the World Cup through injury and declared the striker could yet make next week's opening match against Italy.

Cardozo, who scored 36 goals in all competitions for Benfica last season, has been struggling with an ankle injury that he sustained in April and has been training separately from the rest of the squad.

The injury had led to fears the 27-year-old could be ruled out of the group stages, but team doctor Manuel Aguilar said: "I must clarify that Oscar Cardozo is not out of the World Cup, as has been implied in some media."