Yasuhito Endo will miss Wednesday's Nabisco Cup semi-final due to a calf injury.
The 30-year old Japan international and 2009 Asian Footballer of the Year says he is highly unlikely to play against Sanfrecce Hiroshima after picking up the problem in Sunday's 2-0 J-League win over Jubilo Iwata.
"I'm not fully fit but I want to be there, just to be involved," said Endo. "I'm not going to force it, but I want to gradually pick things up through training."