Training sprain sidelines Pinilla

Sporting Clube de Portugal striker Mauricio Pinilla has been ruled out of the UEFA Cup final against PFC CSKA Moskva after picking up an injury in Tuesday night's training session.

Knee sprain
The Chilean forward suffered a sprain to his left knee in a training session at the final venue, the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, and, although the seriousness of the injury will not become clear until an evaluation on Thursday, he is definitely out of Wednesday's game. "The player will not be able to play and could have a serious injury," confirmed Sporting doctor Gomes Pereira. "Surgery is a distinct possibility, but we will only know for sure the extent of the injury in the next 48 hours."

Liedson scare
Pinilla scored Sporting's winner in the semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar, but missed the return against the Dutch side with a thigh injury. Sporting's key striker Liedson also received medical assistance for a minor problem during tonight's training session, but it is not expected to affect his participation in Wednesday's final.