A sigh of relief for Costa Rica as Cristian Gamboa’s knee injury won’t require surgery

An injury to the right knee of Cristian Gamboa won’t require surgery, keeping alive the hope that Costa Rica’s right back will return in time for the World Cup.

On Tuesday afternoon, the 24-year-old reported his test results on Twitter. An ultrasound confirmed he suffered a sprain in his knee and not a tearing of the meniscus  — an injury that would’ve ended his World Cup dreams.

Gamboa, who plays for Norway’s most successful club Rosenborg, will continue his recovery in Costa Rica. He hopes to start practicing with the Costa Rica national team during a training session that begins in mid-May.

Both of Costa Rica’s top defenders are on the mend and remain close calls for the World Cup that begins on June 12. Star left-back Bryan Oviedo looks on pace to make the team as he recuperates from a gruesome leg injury that occurred in January.