Hockey India president A.K. Mattoo on Friday brushed aside confusion created over Sandeep Singh’s participation in next month’s Champions Challenge tournament and the 2010 World Cup, saying the ace drag-flicker had recovered from his back injury and was expected to be part of both the events.
“I am 100 per cent certain Sandeep will play in the World Cup. How can you decide about whether a player would be in the World Cup team three months before the tournament?” said Mattoo at an event in Capital on Friday.

Sandeep’s participation in both events came under cloud after he sustained a back injury during last month’s Canada tour. “He will be there in the team. He had a back injury but he has come out of that. Sandeep will also play in Champions Challenge, subject to clearing fitness tests,” Mattoo added.

Sandeep was replaced by Rajpal Singh as the skipper for the Champions Challenge from December 6-13 but Mattoo overruled the decision, saying they were yet to finalise the captain.