Germany´s Rolfes admits World Cup dream is fading

Germany midfielder Simon Rolfes admitted Tuesday his World Cup dream is fading after struggling to regain his fitness after a knee injury.

The 28-year-old has won 21 caps for Germany, but a procedure to remove damaged cartilage from his knee has kept him out of football since January.

He is not expected to play again this season for Leverkusen with the Bundesliga set to conclude on May 8 and is currently working hard on rehabilitation.

“Most likely, the World Cup is out of my reach,” said the Leverkusen captain on the www.dfb.de website.

“I have not given up hope and I am in contact with Joachim Loew (the national coach), but I don’t think I will be there, which is a pity.”

Rolfes last played for Germany in the 1-0 win over Russia last October which took the national side to the World Cup finals in June where they will play Australia, Ghana and Serbia in Group D.

Germany play World Cup warm-ups against Malta on May 13, Hungary on May 29 and Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 3.