Drogba poised for Brazil start

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba is poised to face Brazil in Sunday's World Cup clash despite having broken his arm, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said Thursday.

"It wouldn't be suprising if Drogba plays from the start against Brazil. He came on for 25 minutes against Portugal and it went well," said Eriksson.

Drogba underwent surgery on June 5 after fracturing his arm in a pre-World Cup friendly against Japan, an injury which threatened his participation at the tournament. When he came on in the 0-0 draw with Portugal on Tuesday, he wore a cast to protect the injury.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz suggested that Drogba had benefited from special treatment from FIFA which allowed him to play with the protective cast.

JOHANNESBURG, June 17, 2010 (AFP)