FOOTBALL'S governing bodies will be looking at the World Cup's ever-growing injury list with increasing concern. Are the stresses and strains of the modern-day game getting too great?
With the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel, Jose Bosingwa, Arjen Robben, and possibly Didier Drogba just some of the names likely to miss out in South Africa, today's players are simply being asked too play too many games.
Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has long since raised his growing fears about the demands on players and he seems to have been proved right by the South Africa 2010 sick list.
People will argue the amount of money they are being paid, players should be ready to play every day of the week but the human body can only take so much.
The real winners this summer are the players who are able to go away on a summer holiday and enjoy a rest over the next month or so - those on duty this summer might not be firing on all cylinders for their clubs early next season.
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