Portugal loses injured Wolves winger Pedro Neto from World Cup plans

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AP) — Portugal lost Pedro Neto from its World Cup plans Friday when his club Wolverhampton said the 22-year-old winger needs ankle surgery.

Wolves said Neto damaged ligaments in a Premier League game against West Ham last weekend.

"Following further evaluation and a specialist opinion this week, it is planned for him to undergo surgery," the club said. "This means that, unfortunately, he will not be fit for the upcoming World Cup."

Neto played in two World Cup qualifying games last year for Portugal, after scoring on his debut in a November 2020 friendly against Andorra.

Portugal is in Group H at the World Cup in Qatar. The 2016 European champion starts on Nov. 24 against Ghana, then plays Uruguay and South Korea.

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