Germany's Mesut Ozil expected to be fit for World Cup campaign
Thu Jun 07, 2018 03:53:pm Sports
3.9K By Obiaks Blog
Mesut Ozil's participation in the World Cup is not in danger, according to the German Football Federation.
The Arsenal playmaker has been struggling with a knee injury suffered in Germany's 2-1 defeat by Austria last Saturday and will miss the final warm-up match against Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on Friday.
The 29-year-old has been training on his own at Germany's pre-World Cup camp in Italy but took part in some running routines with the squad on Thursday.
"I didn't take part in final team training today, but some running exercises were possible again," he wrote on his official Twitter account.
Germany's team director Oliver Bierhoff added: "It's nothing dramatic, we just don't want to take any risks and he was able to sprint in training.
"I assume he will be okay for the World Cup."
Ozil, who finished last season with a back injury, is targeting Germany's opening game against Mexico in Moscow on June 17.
They also play South Korea and Sweden in Group F.
Germany are winless in their last five games and are set to name a full-strength side against Saudi Arabia, who face hosts Russia in the World Cup opener next Thursday.
Bayern Munich star Jerome Boateng could play his first game since suffering a groin injury in April.
"We assume that Jerome is now 100 per cent fit but a final decision has not been taken," Bierhoff said.
With Ozil out, Paris St-Germain's Julian Draxler is likely to fill the attacking midfield role with Chelsea's Antonio Ruediger stepping in for Boateng if needed.
World Cup winners Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller are all set to return having sat out the Austria defeat with Timo Werner as the lone striker
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The Arsenal playmaker has been struggling with a knee injury suffered in Germany's 2-1 defeat by Austria last Saturday and will miss the final warm-up match against Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on Friday.
The 29-year-old has been training on his own at Germany's pre-World Cup camp in Italy but took part in some running routines with the squad on Thursday.
"I didn't take part in final team training today, but some running exercises were possible again," he wrote on his official Twitter account.
Germany's team director Oliver Bierhoff added: "It's nothing dramatic, we just don't want to take any risks and he was able to sprint in training.
"I assume he will be okay for the World Cup."
Ozil, who finished last season with a back injury, is targeting Germany's opening game against Mexico in Moscow on June 17.
They also play South Korea and Sweden in Group F.
Germany are winless in their last five games and are set to name a full-strength side against Saudi Arabia, who face hosts Russia in the World Cup opener next Thursday.
Bayern Munich star Jerome Boateng could play his first game since suffering a groin injury in April.
"We assume that Jerome is now 100 per cent fit but a final decision has not been taken," Bierhoff said.
With Ozil out, Paris St-Germain's Julian Draxler is likely to fill the attacking midfield role with Chelsea's Antonio Ruediger stepping in for Boateng if needed.
World Cup winners Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller are all set to return having sat out the Austria defeat with Timo Werner as the lone striker
SKYSPORTS
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