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Colombia's Abel Aguilar ruled out against Senegal with injury

Midfielder Abel Aguilar won't play for Colombia on Thursday against Senegal because of a left adductor injury.

Aguilar was injured in the first half of Colombia's 3-0 victory over Poland last Sunday in Kazan and had to be stretchered off the field.

Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said Aguilar would not be available in the team's decisive final group match in Samara, but he did not rule the 33-year-old veteran out of the rest of the tournament should Colombia advance.

Aguilar underwent an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. Pekerman said Wednesday the injury was not as serious as feared but it would still keep him out of the group finale.

There was more positive news for Pekerman as key players Cristian Zapata and David Ospina are likely to be fit enough to start after recovering from minor injuries.

Aguilar was replaced against Poland by Mateus Uribe, who Pekerman suggested could be handed a start after his impressive performance off the bench.

"Uribe came into a complicated match and lived up to expectations," he said. "We very much like how he adapted to the team.

"We were very pleased with him, but we will have to see about this next match."

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.