Havertz eyes successful World Cup despite long injury absence

FRANKFURT, March 25 - Germany forward Kai Havertz is close to his best form again after several injuries in the past 12 months, and a successful Arsenal run across three competitions in the coming months will be the best preparation for the World Cup, he said on Wednesday. Read more at straitstimes.com.

FRANKFURT, March 25 - Germany forward Kai Havertz is close to his best form again after several injuries in the past 12 months, and a successful Arsenal run across three competitions in the coming months will be the best preparation for the World Cup, he said on Wednesday.

Havertz, who has been away from the national team for more than a year after missing last year's internationals through injury, is part of the Germany squad to face Switzerland on Friday and Ghana three days later.

"I had a tough time. It was not easy for me," Havertz told a press conference ahead of Germany's friendly against hosts Switzerland.

"I had my first injury in February last year, three and a half months out then comeback and then a setback with the knee injury," he added.

Havertz returned to action for the Premier League leaders Arsenal in January after being sidelined since August last year, but the 26-year-old said he was ready for his club's busy match schedule in the league, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

"I now feel completely fit. I need the one or other game from the start to reach 100 percent but I feel fit to start lasting over 90 minutes," he said.