Argentina's preparations for FIFA World Cup suffered a blow as attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini was ruled out of the 32-nation football tournament after suffering a suspected serious knee injury during training on Friday. "Manuel Lanzini suffered, in today's morning training, the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee," read a statement on Argentina's national team's Twitter handle.

According to media reports, the West Ham United player will be out of action for around six months, dealing a big blow to Jorge Sampaoli-coached Argentina's preparations for the tournament, beginning in Russia from June 14. Lanzini featured regularly in the warm-up matches and was considered an integral part of Argentina's midfield.