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Mesut Ozil eases World Cup injury concerns by posting pictures on the Germany team bus

Reports in Germany said that Arsenal star was a major worry to miss part of the tournament

MESUT OZIL has eased fears he could miss part of the World Cup by posting a picture of him smiling on the team bus.

Reports in Germany had claimed that the Arsenal star was a major worry for head coach Joachim Low, with Ozil missing training in each of the past four days.

 Mesut Ozil eased fears over his injury by posting a picture of him smiling on the Germany team bus
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Mesut Ozil eased fears over his injury by posting a picture of him smiling on the Germany team busCredit: Instagram, @m10_official

The 29-year-old, who was also suffering with a back problem at the end of the Premier League season, hurt his knee after colliding with Austrian defender Sebastian Prodl in a friendly on Saturday.

Ozil hasn't trained with the rest of the squad since and missed an important team planning meeting on Wednesday.

The playmaker had only been able to work on his fitness and conditioning rather than take part in a group session.

But to ease fans' fears, Ozil posted a picture of him beaming to his Instagram page.

 Ozil has not trained in the last four days after picking up an injury against Austria
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Ozil has not trained in the last four days after picking up an injury against AustriaCredit: Reuters
 Ozil also missed a team planning meeting and could only work on his fitness and conditioning
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Ozil also missed a team planning meeting and could only work on his fitness and conditioningCredit: AFP or licensors

Sat alongside Kevin Trapp, Sami Khedira and Ilkay Gundogan, Ozil was all smiles at the back of the German national team bus.

The German FA also moved to play down the extent of Ozil's injury, stating that he had missed training "as a precaution."


OZIL AND OUT? Mesut Ozil a ‘major worry’ for World Cup with Arsenal and Germany star suffering with knee problem


They wrote on social media: "Mesut Ozil didn't take part in final training today, completing running exercises instead.

"He is out of Germany vs Saudi Arabia with a minor bruise to his left knee."

 Ozil was held out of main training 'as a precaution', the German FA revealed, but took some part on Thursday
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Ozil was held out of main training 'as a precaution', the German FA revealed, but took some part on ThursdayCredit: AFP or licensors

Low's squad, who are second favourites to win the tournament behind only Brazil, had been at a training camp in Southern Tyrol, northern Italy, in the mountainous town of Eppan.

The German players will now travel back to Leverkusen to face Saudi Arabia on Friday night, their final warm-up game before the World Cup kicks off next week.

Ozil will not play in the friendly and could be facing a race to play in Germany's tournament opener against Mexico on June 17.

The defending champions will also face Sweden (June 23) and South Korea (June 27) in the group stages.

 Joachim Low has to decide if Ozil will be fit enough to start the opener against Mexico on June 17
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Joachim Low has to decide if Ozil will be fit enough to start the opener against Mexico on June 17Credit: Reuters

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Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff did not thing Ozil's injury will be an issue when the tournament comes around.

"There is a bruise on the knee, we do not want to take any chances.

"I assume, for the World Cup, it is not an issue."

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