Hockey India President A K Mattoo today cleared the air over Sandeep Singh’s participation in next month’s Chammpions Challenge tournament and 2010 World Cup, saying the ace drag-flicker has recovered from his back injury and is 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,” Mattoo told reporters here during the Presenting Partner agreement signing function between Steel Authority of India Limited and International Hockey Federation.

“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,” he added.

Sandeep’s participation in both the events came under cloud after chief coach Jose Brasa earlier this week said that the back injury, which he sustained during last month’s Canada tour, will see the drag-flicker out of both Champions Challenge to be held in Salta, Argentina, from December 6 to 13.