FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
European champions Germany are sweating on the fitness of defenders Christian Ziege and Thomas Helmer ahead of the three-times world champions’ opening match against the United States next Monday.
Ziege has been struggling with a fever but the word from the German camp on Tuesday was that he could resume training on Wednesday. Helmer, who has a thigh strain, was set to have a treatment session with team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt. Bayern Munich star Helmer said he did not think the injury was as bad as last time, a reference to a muscle tear which forced him to pull out of a training camp in Finland a month ago. But the 33-year-old said he remained optimistic that he would be fit for the showdown with the Americans at the Parc des Princes. “On the field or off, I will do all I can to help the team,” Helmer said.
Skipper Jurgen Klinsmann said the German players were anxious not to get injured in case they lost their place in the process. “Everyone is trying to make a good impression-that’s a healthy thing,” said Klinsmann, who at 33 and with 102 caps to his name is entering his last World Cup.