Paraguay have been rocked by the news that veteran striker Jose Cardozo has been forced to pull out of their World Cup squad with a calf injury.

The 35-year-old had been expected to be the spearhead of Paraguay's attack in Saturday's opening Group B clash against England.

However, a brief statement from the Paraguayan Football Association read: "Jose Cardozo has suffered an injury involving a pulled calf muscle on his left leg with a bruise in the affected area."

The veteran forward is his country's all-time leading goalscorer with 25 goals in 82 appearances. He played in the last two World Cups and also won a silver medal in the Olympic Games in Athens two years ago.

It has not yet been confirmed who head coach Anibal Ruiz will draft in to replace Cardozo.