BBC SPORT | Football | World Cup 2006 | Teams | Serbia & Montenegro (original) (raw)

Vidic joined Manchester United for �7m in January

Serbia and Montenegro defender Nemanja Vidic's World Cup has been ended by a knee problem.

Manchester United defender Vidic, 24, injured his left knee ligaments in Monday's training session.

Serbia team doctor Aleksandar Boskovic said the injury would sideline Vidic "for several weeks."

Vidic's injury leaves Serbia with a 21-man squad after Dusan Petkovic, son of manager Ilija, left the group before the competition started.

Vidic missed Serbia's opening Group C defeat to Holland because of a one-match suspension for a red card received in a qualifying game.

Boskovic added: "He will miss the World Cup, even if we reach the final."

Vidic, who joined Manchester United in January for �7m, was a key member of the Serbia defence that conceded only one goal in their 10 qualifying matches.

But after Dusan Petkovic left the squad on the eve of the competition to avoid his father attracting media criticism and claims of nepotism, they have no natural replacement for Vidic.

Midfielder Igor Duljaj filled in at the centre of defence against Holland.

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