Ivory Coast manager Sabri Lamouchi has hinted that national hero Didier Drogba will again have to settle for a place on the bench when they face Colombia.

The former Chelsea striker's second-half introduction inspired the Africans to a come-from-behind win over Japan in their first 2014 World Cup game on Sunday.

However, it was Wilfried Bony, preferred to Drogba in attack, who was on the scoresheet, and Lamouchi has suggested that Drogba's lack of match fitness will mean that the Swansea City forward continues in the starting XI on Thursday when they face Group C's other opening-round winners, Colombia.

"People love Didier Drogba and I know there are a lot of lovers of Drogba's style," Lamouchi told reporters.

"But you have to understand the last time he played 90 minutes was a few months ago in Turkey. He's just recovered from injury. He made a lot of sacrifices to be here at the World Cup."

Galatasaray frontman Drogba, 36, has scored 65 goals in 102 international games since debuting in 2002.