Kolo Toure suffering with malaria

ByESPN staff ESPN logo
Monday, June 2, 2014

Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure is recovering from malaria with less than two weeks until the World Cup gets underway.

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Toure, 33, who will be hoping to start for the Elephants in their opening game against Japan on June 14, contracted the illness on a recent trip home to Abidjan and is currently undergoing treatment.

Ivory Coast team doctor Cyrille Dah says the Liverpool player will miss Friday's friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, although he should return in time for the World Cup.

"He just needs rest and so he won't play against Bosnia but he will be OK to return to training next week," Dah told the Ivorian Football Federation's official website.

Didier Drogba has also been struggling with malaria, but after undergoing surgery in Qatar last month the striker says he is now fully fit.

"I've worked hard to regain my form and get to a good level for the training camp," Drogba said in a news conference of his work over the last week in Dallas, where the Elephants have been preparing for the World Cup.

Drogba is expected to win his 100th cap for Ivory Coast on against Bosnia.

Toure's younger brother Yaya, meanwhile, is due to join up with the Ivory Coast squad on Saturday following surgery on a muscle injury in Qatar.

"We expect him back on the pitch," Dah said of the Manchester City midfielder.

Ivory Coast play a second friendly against El Salvador on Wednesday, before arriving in Brazil next Friday.

The Elephants have been drawn in Group C alongside Colombia, Greece and Japan.