SAO PAULO, June 11 -- Didier Drogba has given Cote d'Ivoire an injury scare ahead of their World Cup Group C opener against Japan on Saturday after leaving training early with a thigh injury.

The 36-year-old limped off the pitch at the team's training base in Aguas de Lindoia, near Sao Paulo, on Wednesday after clashing with former Tottenham Hotspur defender Didier Zokora.

Sabri Lamouchi's team were due to have a final training session on Thursday morning before traveling to Recife for Saturday's clash at Pernambuco Arena.

Drogba is crucial to the Cote d'Ivoire's chances of progressing beyond the World Cup group stage for the first time.

The clash against Japan will be followed by matches against Colombia on June 19 and Greece five days later.