Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insisted that Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze will most probably miss his country’s 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany.

"I know Gaby wants to play in the World Cup. Every player would want that. But I can't see it myself,” Ferguson was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Friday.

The former Paris Saint Germain full back suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during his side’s UEFA Champions League clash against Spanish outfit Villareal in September and had been sidelined ever since.

"I would have thought it was very unlikely he would play before the end of the season. My stance is that he won't be available until next year," he added.

Argentina were drawn to a tough group in the World Cup finals where they will play against Holland, Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro in June.