Mikel, Robben are new injury curse victims

Nigeria midfielder joins teammate Essien on sidelines; Dutch winger in doubt

LONDON - The curse of the pre-World Cup injury struck again on Saturday when Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel was ruled out of the finals with a severely bruised ankle and Dutch winger Arjen Robben hurt his hamstring.

Mikel joined a casualty list which includes Chelsea teammates Michael Essien of Ghana, out with a knee injury, and Cote d'Ivoire captain Didier Drogba who is a major doubt for the finals in South Africa which start on Friday due to a fractured elbow.