Argentina centre Martin Gaitan will miss the World Cup after suffering a heart attack, Pumas sources in Cardiff said this morning.
Gaitan played the full 80 minutes of Argentina's World Cup warm-up against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, a 27-20 defeat, but was later rushed to hospital after complaining of chest pains.
The 29-year-old underwent surgery on Sunday morning at the University of Wales hospital and will remain there for at least another 48 hours under observation, Pumas doctor Mario Larrain told reporters.
A report in the Argentine daily La Nacion cast doubt on the Biarritz centre's future as a rugby player.
Team sources said Hernan Senillosa, like Gaitan a veteran of the 2003 World Cup in Australia, was his most likely replacement in the Pumas squad for the tournament in France.
Argentina meet hosts France in the opening match of the World Cup in Paris before facing Georgia, Namibia and the crunch match with Ireland in Pool D.
The Pumas were due to leave Cardiff on Monday for Brussels where they face a Belgium XV in a final warm-up next weekend.
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