Manchester United's Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze fears missing the World Cup next summer through injury.
The United left-back tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in September, and manager Alex Ferguson has already cast doubt on whether he will return in time to compete in Germany.
Heinze sustained the injury in United's 0-0 draw in Villarreal on September 14, and with a return to action still several months away, Ferguson recently said: "I know Gaby wants to play in the World Cup, every player would want that, but I can't see it myself."
Heinze now admits he is forced to agree.
"I don't see myself in the World Cup, but not because of Ferguson's words," he said.
"I don't see myself in Germany because I'm not playing at the moment."
Heinze said too much had been made of Ferguson's comments and denied there was any rift between him and his manager.
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman has left the door open for Heinze to join his squad in time for the World Cup, where Argentina are in Group C along with Serbia and Montenegro, Holland, and the Ivory Coast.
