Javier Aquino joins Mexico as team regroups after Luis Montes' injury

CHICAGO — Mexico midfielder Javier Aquino can be excused if he's caught yawning over the next few days.

Called in to replace the injured Luis Montes, Aquino arrived in Chicago on Monday afternoon after a 14-hour flight from Shanghai, where he had been on a summer tour with Spanish club team Villarreal. He didn't practice with the rest of El Tri, needing to go through doping and other medical tests.

Mexico faces Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday night at Soldier Field.

"When I didn't pick him at first, he told me he was ready if ever needed," Mexico coach Miguel Herrera said through a translator. "He's happy to be here with the team. It's a tough situation because he comes in as a replacement. But going to the World Cup is a great feeling."

Montes' injury was a tough situation for everyone.

Within seconds of scoring a goal in an exhibition against Ecuador on Saturday, Montes went to make a tackle and landed awkwardly, breaking the tibia and fibula in his right leg. He lay on the ground for several minutes, grimacing in pain and clutching his leg.

"Half of the team was out of it," Herrera said. "We spoke to them that it was important to finish the game and keep playing. If we didn't get back to it, it would have affected us in our next games. Fortunately, the team came back mentally strong."

Visiting Montes after the game helped, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez said.

"He was trying to be strong," Hernandez said. "Luis has a great future. He's a great player."

And El Tri feels fortunate the injury news was not worse. Captain Rafa Marquez was back at practice Monday after being taken to the hospital at halftime against Ecuador with a foot injury.

Though Marquez hasn't ruled out playing against Bosnia, he said a return for Friday's game against Portugal is more likely.

"I have a little pain, but maybe I'm going to be 100 percent for Portugal," Marquez said. "We'll see tomorrow if I feel better, but it's probably better not to rush it."

Goalkeeper Jesus Corona, who started six of Mexico's 12 World Cup qualifiers, also is fine, Herrera said. Corona was hurt last Thursday when he got knocked in the head during an exhibition against Israel, and missed two days of practice.

"He looked great and today it was like nothing happened," Herrera said. "He was 100 percent."