Robben hopeful to play in World Cup

(GSM) – Arjen Robben is hoping to overcome a thigh muscle injury quickly with the help of physiotherapy to play for the Netherlands at the World Cup.

The 26-year-old Bayern München winger damaged his left thigh in a warm-up match on Saturday and a scan on Sunday revealed a muscle fibre tear but Robben is hoping he can still play a key role in South Africa.

“On Sunday I had the scan and it’s just a small tear in my left hamstring. It’s the first time I have a injury on that spot of my leg. If I just let it heal then I’m back on the field in four to six weeks, but we don’t have so much time,” Robben told to Studio Voetbal.

“(Physio) Dick van Toorn is going to help me. We’re going to work incredibly hard. I’m going to fight until I drop. The last 24 hours I have had so much support from all the people around me and that had a positive effect on me. After the injury I went to the locker room for a first diagnosis which was very difficult. But it was clear that it wasn’t good because I had a lot of pain,” he said.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has already said he does not intend to call up a replacement for Robben right now.

The Netherlands face Denmark on 14 June while they will also have to play with Japan and Cameroon in Group E.