Mexico defender Nestor Araujo has been released from El Tri's World Cup preparation camp and is set to miss the Russia 2018, according to a statement from the Mexican federation.
"The player will leave the Mexican national team camp because of a tendonitis," read the statement. "Nestor Araujo will return to his club and the Santos Laguna medical staff will determine the next steps in his recovery."
📰 Comunicado de Prensa: Néstor Araujo causa baja de la concentración de la Selección Nacional de México.https://t.co/CY7zYQUUUP pic.twitter.com/qJdnmSp8gp
— ClubSantosLaguna (@ClubSantos) May 23, 2018
Araujo injured his left knee in Mexico's March 27 friendly against Croatia, but the Guadalajara native was initially expected to be back for the semifinal of the 2018 Clausura after undergoing surgery.
However, Araujo didn't appear in Santos Laguna's championship win and said last Sunday that he needed to talk to coach Juan Carlos Osorio about whether he could participate this summer.
"I'm still not 100 percent and that's what I want to talk to him about," stated Araujo.
The 26-year-old had become an established regular under Osorio and was set to start games in Russia.
Osorio named a provisional 28-player squad because of lingering doubts over the fitness of Araujo, Andres Guardado, Jonathan dos Santos, Giovani dos Santos and Diego Reyes.
Since then, Hector Moreno has been added to the injury list, while Jonathan dos Santos has played a game for LA Galaxy.
Araujo's exit from the camp is likely to mean Hugo Ayala or Oswaldo Alanis will be named to Mexico's final 23-player roster.