Injured Sami Khedira in World Cup fitness battle

Last Updated: Sunday, January 19, 2014, 20:28

  

Berlin: Germany midfielder Sami Khedira is facing a race against time to recover from injury and enter Germany coach Joachim Loew`s World Cup calculations.

The Real Madrid star`s participation in Brazil was put in jeopardy in mid-November when he suffered a serious knee injury in Germany`s 1-1 friendly draw with Italy.

Khedira, 26 and a key figure in the German teams that reached the semi-finals in both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, underwent surgery to repair the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Loew, giving an update on Khedira`s fitness, told German newspaper Bild: "I spoke by phone with Sami three days ago, he`s feeling fine, working a little on the treadmill and isn`t feeling any bad reaction."

The Germany manager added: "There`s no fixed date, but clearly we are going to have to see in April what form the players are in."

He warned that it would be difficult to pick a player "who hasn`t played in a competitive match".

Germany are in Group G at the World Cup against Portugal, Ghana and the United States.

AFP ------------------------ ZEENEWS.com