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

MESUT OZIL is facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, according to reports in Germany.

Newspaper report the Arsenal playmaker has been unable to train for the last four days ahead of the tournament in Russia.

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Ozil scored in a 2-1 friendly win over Austria on Saturday, before being taken off on 76 minutes.

However, the playmaker has struggled in the days following the game after a first-half collision with Watford centre-back Sebastian Prodl.

Ozil was seen clutching his knee during the game.

At Germany training on Wednesday, Ozil did not participate with the rest of the squad, with the 29-year-old only able to do fitness and conditioning work.

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He was seen on an exercise bike while the rest of Joachim Low's squad trained and is said to have missed a planning meeting.

The Gunners favourite also missed four Arsenal matches in May because of a back problem - that is said to be lingering.

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Ozil now has ten days to prove his fitness to Joachim Low.

There is no suggestion in the report that Ozil will be dropped from the squad, although the German paper says the national team are 'silent' on his current situation.

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Germany, currently second-favourites to win the tournament behind Brazil, face a final tune-up against Saudi Arabia on Friday night.

Their first group game takes place on Sunday 17 against Mexico, with matches against Sweden (June 23) and South Korea (June 27) to follow.

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Last weekend, newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, quoted the assistant Thomas Schneider as saying the Low's coaching staff were frustrated with Ozil over his lack of fitness and effort in training.

He said: "We expect him (Ozil) to challenge himself in training.

"Mesut is always having treatment."