Jose Cordoba ruled out of Panama friendlies through injury

The Norwich City defender limped out of their 1-1 draw against Leeds United but defied the odds to complete 90 minutes in their impressive 4-0 victory over Hull last weekend. 

City had hoped to replace Cordoba during that encounter, but Johannes Hoff Thorup ended up utilising his substitutes in other areas. 

That prompted Cordoba to link up with Panama ahead of their friendlies against the USA and Canada over this October international break. 

The defender was pictured watching on at the Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez stadium on Tuesday and after further assessment, Panama boss Thomas Christiansen has confirmed Cordoba will play no part in this month’s international fixtures. The hope is that the decision is a precautionary one. 

"He received a blow before the last game, but he had just played the 90 minutes. That's why we didn't hesitate to call him, but when we arrived we did some tests to see how his knee was and they advised us, and we think it's best, that he doesn't participate in both games," Christiansen told media in Panama. 

Cordoba becomes the latest City player to miss representing their country through injury after goalkeeper Angus Gunn and midfielder Marcelino Nunez withdrew from Scotland and Chile respectively. 

Gunn travelled up to Scotland earlier in the week for assessment after suffering a muscular injury in the rib area when claiming the ball in the build up to Nunez’s opening goal last weekend. 

He continued until half time but was then replaced by deputy George Long for the remainder of the contest. Gunn is expected to undergo further assessment this week to confirm the severity of the issue. 

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn is also being assessed after a muscular injury. (Image: Daniel Hambury/Focus Images Ltd) Nunez didn’t travel to link up with Chile after suffering a hamstring injury. City send the scans to their FA and the midfielder is likely, but not confirmed, to miss further matches after the international break with the concern.

Norwich also have Ashley Barnes, Onel Hernandez, Liam Gibbs and Tony Springett sidelined, but both Christian Fassnacht and Jacob Sorensen are pencilled in for a return after the break. 

Thorup will offer a comprehensive fitness update before City’s trip to Stoke on October 19.