Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed Friday that Lionel Messi is recovering from left hamstring fatigue and could see action in the team's upcoming friendly matches before the World Cup begins June 16.

Messi, 38, suffered the injury May 25 in his final Inter Miami appearance before joining the national team. Scaloni indicated the forward has resumed partial group training, a positive sign ahead of Argentina's title defense.

"Leo is doing well," said Scaloni. "Leo trained for a part with the group, which is important. He's not fully separated; he's coming along. He may be part of the friendly matches, getting some minutes in these two friendlies. We'll see if it's the one tomorrow or the next one. But he's doing a lot better and that gives us tranquility."

Argentina faces Honduras on Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, before meeting Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday to close out their pre-tournament preparations.

Four additional squad members, Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Nico Paz and Gonzalo Montiel, are also working through rehabilitation separately from the main group. Scaloni said all four are progressing but will be held out of at least Saturday's friendly as a precaution.

The manager was direct about the team's contingency plan for the 26-man roster.

"It can happen," said Scaloni. "Today we have the feeling that the guys are doing well, but what we're completely sure of is that if any one of them is not available, they'll be left out.

"We have that clear. For now, they're doing well, but we've been monitoring them. When the decisive stage arrives, which is the final week, where they have to ramp up to see if they are 100%, that's when we'll decide, even though it'll hurt a lot if any one of the guys has to be left out."

The defending champions open Group J play against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, with Austria and Jordan to follow.