Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 5y

Mexico's Lainez to miss Gold Cup, Chicharito also a doubt

Mexico's young star Diego Lainez is set to miss the Gold Cup this summer to play at the under-20s World Cup, while Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez could also be absent from the CONCACAF tournament, according to El Tri coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino.

Real Betis forward Lainez's plans this summer have been the subject of much speculation in Mexico, with the U20s World Cup starting on May 23 and ending on June 15, the day the Gold Cup begins, but the 18-year-old will participate in the former.

"It's been decided and Diego [Lainez] will play at the under-20s World Cup," Martino told reporters in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

West Ham striker Hernandez's summer plans are not as clear, with his wife expecting the couple's first child around the time of the tournament and Martino adamant that players won't be allowed to leave camp.

"It's a situation we need to consider," Martino told Televisa. "The subject depends on when the birth is.

"I'm not contemplating a footballer leaving for three days in the middle [of a tournament] and coming back. I prefer them not to come or to be there from the beginning [to end]."

The path for Jesus "Tecatito" Corona to return to the national team after a fierce back and forth between Martino and Porto over the winger's fitness for the March international dates appears to be clearer, with the 26-year-old being taken into consideration for the Gold Cup.

"The national team medical staff has spoken to Porto's and they cleared things up," Martino said at Banc of California Stadium. "Jesus Corona is being considered for the Gold Cup, as he was for the previous international date."

Martino didn't have any news on whether in-form LAFC forward Carlos Vela would be involved moving forward, with the former Real Sociedad player left out of March victories over Chile and Paraguay.

"I've not seen Vela because I only found out that [the draw] was at LAFC when I arrived," Martino said. "We'll definitely speak again."

Mexico was drawn on Wednesday in Group A of the Gold Cup alongside Canada, Martinique and Cuba and will kick off the tournament on June 15 at the Rose Bowl against Cuba.

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