Pair out of openers

Greek striker Zisis Vryzas will play in Thursday's Confederations Cup match against Brazil with a cast covering his fractured left hand, a team spokesman said on Wednesday. And Mexico captain Rafael Marquez misses his team's opener with Japan. Confederati

Eurosport

Image credit: TNT Sports

Vryzas, 31, suffered the injury in a relegation match for his Spanish side Celto Vigo on Sunday before flying to Germany with his hand in plaster.

He was not initially expected to be fit to play in the match but the Greek team's medical staff developed a special cast to protect the hand which will require surgery later.

Greece captain Theodoros Zagorakis joined the squad on Monday after being released by his Italian club Bologna who face a relegation playoff battle.

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MARQUEZ OUT

Mexico will be forced to play without their captain Rafael Marquez in their Confederations Cup Group B match on Thursday against Japan.

The Barcelona defender is suffering from a groin injury and will not be available for Mexico's first match against Japan in Hanover, according to German sport news agency SID.

It is not clear whether Marquez will recover in time to play in subsequent matches.

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