Manchester
United's Shinji Kagawa missed Japan's world cup qualifier with Iraq due
to a back injury. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA
The Manchester United
midfielder Shinji Kagawa has tried to play down a back injury which
ruled him out of Japan's 1-0 win over Iraq in a world cup qualifier on
Tuesday.
The 23-year-old pulled out of the game in Saitama an hour before kick-off having felt a twinge in his lower back during training the previous day. "I underwent treatment for as long as possible before the match and [Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni] waited for me," said Kagawa, who joined Manchester United for £12m before the season began.
"I felt a twinge and didn't want to take the risk," added the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who watched the Group B game from the stands. "It's not a serious injury and I don't think it will keep me out for long. I can walk without any problem but if I put strain on it, it still hurts."
Kagawa is set to undergo tests on his return to Old Trafford, where he has made an impressive start to his United career, although he is likely to be a doubt for Saturday's Premier League home game against Wigan.
"I waited until the afternoon to see how his condition was but there's no way I can put a player on the pitch who is not at 100%," said Zaccheroni.
After the match with Wigan United begin their Champions League campaign at home to Turkey's Galatasaray on 19 September.
The 23-year-old pulled out of the game in Saitama an hour before kick-off having felt a twinge in his lower back during training the previous day. "I underwent treatment for as long as possible before the match and [Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni] waited for me," said Kagawa, who joined Manchester United for £12m before the season began.
"I felt a twinge and didn't want to take the risk," added the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who watched the Group B game from the stands. "It's not a serious injury and I don't think it will keep me out for long. I can walk without any problem but if I put strain on it, it still hurts."
Kagawa is set to undergo tests on his return to Old Trafford, where he has made an impressive start to his United career, although he is likely to be a doubt for Saturday's Premier League home game against Wigan.
"I waited until the afternoon to see how his condition was but there's no way I can put a player on the pitch who is not at 100%," said Zaccheroni.
After the match with Wigan United begin their Champions League campaign at home to Turkey's Galatasaray on 19 September.
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