Kenny Cunningham looks like being ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's friendly against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Saturday.
But the Wimbledon defender is expected to be fit for the opening Group E World Cup clash against Cameroon a week later.
Cunningham missed training today with a strained hamstring and is unlikely to be risked by manager Mick McCarthy for the friendly in Japan.
The Irish squad fly from Saipan to Izumo on Friday and have just the one warm-up match, which will kick off at 7.30 a.m. in the Hamayama Sports Park Stadium, scheduled ahead of the Cameroon game on June 1st.
McCarthy confirmed he would not risk Cunningham, who is one of his first choice centre-halves, unless he was 100 per cent fit. "Kenny has a bit of a hamstring strain and it is quite tender," said McCarthy.
"He is having treatment on it. It was only yesterday he felt it so we have to see how it settles down, but if he's not right I won't risk him. It is only a strain and there will be no doubt about him for our opening game on Saturday week".
PA