WANGEN IM ALLGAU (Germany), May 30: Togo's World Cup preparations have been hit by cold weather and a chicken-pox scare, according to the country's team doctor. Togo were forced to train on an artificial pitch at their camp here due to driving hail and temperatures that plummeted to 10 degrees celsius, but it was the discovery of the potentially contagious chicken-pox in the camp that has most worried the west African nation.

Striker Richard Forson, who plays for French amateur side Poire-sur-vie was the first to be struck down with the virus.

“Forson was really ill, he had a fever and was bed-ridden,” said Togo's German doctor Joachim Schubert who said the player could start training again in two or three days.

“We don't yet know if the other players had chicken-pox when they were young and hence whether they have been immunised against this contagious virus,” added Schubert, although none of the others have come down with the virus.

Meanwhile, the players have demanded 155,000 euros (200,000 dollars) each to participate in the June 9-July 9 finals, Togo football president Rock Gnassingbe told national television on Monday.—AFP