The shooting of Paraguay star Salvador Cabanas still weighs heavily on the team in South Africa and they plan to dedicate all their World Cup victories to their teammate.

Cabanas, the 2007 South American footballer of the year, was shot in the head in the toilet of a trendy Mexico City bar in January. He survived but is on a long road to recovery.

He would certainly have been part of the team that is due to kick off against Italy in Cape Town on Monday having played a vital part in their qualifying campaign.

Argentine-born Lucas Barrios, who only received his Paraguay passport a few weeks ago and will make his debut, has been drafted in as Cabanas' replacement.

He said Sunday the player was on everyone's minds.

"We have three group games and we are going to play for Salvador and have decided to dedicate our victories to him because he is such an important player for us," he said.

Coach Gerardo Martino, also from Argentina, said Cabanas would have been a definite starter if he was in Cape Town.

"The players are speaking to Cabanas all the time since he suffered his accident," he said.

"Of course, he's a great inspiration for us. He's recovering. It's a very important stage in his recovery now."

Paraguay go into the Italy game in good form, having beaten Brazil and Argentina in qualifying.

They can no longer be considered minnows having reached their fourth straight finals, with much of the credit given to Martino who has managed to negotiate a delicate transition phase for his team.

He has taken a new generation of players under his wing, notably Nelson Haedo Valdez of Borussia Dortmund, Roque Santa Cruz of Manchester City and Oscar Cardozo of Benfica in attack.

Their tight and effective defensive unit is marshalled by goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Martino said they were fired up for the Italy match and keen to take all three points ahead of their other games against New Zealand and Slovakia.

"We've prepared very well and gone from less to more," he said.

"We have had good friendly matches are we are at a good point. We're in top shape to embark on this World Cup.

"We are very, very enthusiastic and hope our debut on Monday is good. We'll try to take the three points. We want to rise to the challenge."

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