Soccer: Injury woes ease for Exposito and Coombes

Manel Exposito of Auckland is on the comeback trail. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland City's injury woes look to have eased after Manel Exposito and Chad Coombes emerged unscathed from last night's first training session in Tokyo.

Coombes, who injured his cruciate ligaments in the ASB Premiership win over Waitakere United two weeks ago, was put through his paces by physiotherapist Andrew Newmarch and was hopeful of taking some part in Auckland's Club World Cup campaign.

"The injury looks better than it did 10 days ago," Coombes said. "I worked hard at training doing shuttle work and have built up the muscle strength around the injury."

When asked if he would be fit for the warm-up match on Friday Coombes said it was too early to tell.

"I'm hoping to get 20 minutes but the injury is still touch and go," he said.

Another player on the comeback trail is Manel Exposito (hip). Crocked against Hekari two weeks ago, Exposito's rehabilitation is on track and he could have played against Manawatu last weekend but was rested with the Club World Cup in mind.

The Spanish striker, who celebrated his 30th birthday upon arrival in Tokyo, is more than aware the competition for places is fierce with Adam Dickinson, Luis Corrales and Emiliano Tade all in good form.

"Nobody is indispensable," he said. "We are playing very well so you cannot take your place for granted."

But Exposito presents a compelling case with seven goals in five starts already this season.

Auckland City meet Ryutsu Keizai University in a friendly on Friday before next week's showdown with the J-League champions for a place in the final eight of the Club World Cup.