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Samuel set to miss out

Image: Samuel: Fitness blow

Diego Maradona has revealed that Walter Samuel is likely to sit out Sunday's clash with Mexico.

Injured defender to be replaced by Burdisso

Diego Maradona has revealed that he is likely to replace centre-back Walter Samuel with Nicolas Burdisso for Sunday's second round encounter against Mexico. Samuel has been struggling with a hamstring problem and was brought off after just 23 minutes against South Korea while he missed the 2-0 win over Greece. Maradona has indicated he will not risk Samuel versus the Mexicans, with Burdisso poised to partner Martin Demichelis in defence. "He felt good at the beginning of training but then we had some doubts. I have some doubts and he may harbour some doubts as well," said Maradona. "I will field the player who is in the better condition to play, probably Nicolas, we don't want to risk anyone. "In this match, when you get long balls, you need someone who can run fast, we can't afford to be giving away chances. "We have to be 100 per cent in top shape and if he (Samuel) can't perform that way, we need him to work for all his team-mates. "From the first day I said I'll field my best possible team. We have 23 players who knew they would have the possibility to play. "I'm looking for my gala team, my luxury team because this is what Argentina deserves."

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