Ecuador midfielder Alex Aguinaga will miss the match against Mexico next Sunday as he nurses a right thigh injury.
"Alex is still in pain, he is not able to train and has to rest until Friday," team doctor Patricio Maldonado told the press.
Coach Hernan Dario Gomez added that "his rehabilitation is too slow" so he already plans to replace him.
The obvious candidate would be Ivan Kaviedes, but Gomez also has Carlos Tenorio and Angel Fernandez.
Tenorio replaced Aguinaga during the match against Italy and he revitalised the attack.
Meanwhile Mexico reported no injury
problems and expect to be at full strength.
Coach Javier Aguirre said the only slight doubt was over
striker Jared Borgetti who came off during the Mexicans' opening
1-0 victory over Croatia.
"It was just a slight knock,
but I am okay and it is nothing serious," said Borgetti.
"I am ready to play if I
am selected against Ecuador."
Aguirre is considering recalling Johan Rodriguez to
his side after the midfielder missed the Croatia game through
Forward Jesus Arellano was also suspended for the
Croatia clash and will serve the second match of his two-game ban on Sunday.