Sami Khedira faces World Cup fitness battle

Sami Khedira faces World Cup fitness battle

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Sami Khedira is likely to miss the rest of the season and faces a battle to be fit for next summer’s World Cup after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in Germany’s 1-1 draw with Italy on Friday.

The 26-year-old Real Madrid man was carried off the field in the 67th minute after a collision with Andrea Pirlo. He was taken straight to hospital in Milan, and straight after the game Germany coach Joachim Low said the situation did not look good for Khedira.

Khedira’s international team mate Jerome Boateng also spoke after the game about the injury, saying it soured the mood in the German camp following a very combative and positive performance overall. “The atmosphere in the dressing room was sad,” he said. “Not because of the draw but because it seems that Sami has been injured severely.”

Although Real Madrid and German fans were hoping the injury was not as serious as it looked, their worst fears have been confirmed by the German medical team who revealed the extent of the knee damage.

In a press release, the team doctor Dr. Mueller-Wohlfahrt, said: “Sami needs to undergo surgery, but we have hope that he will be fit in time for the World Cup.”

Reacting to the setback, Low stated: “He is a great personality and fighter on and off the pitch. He always thinks positive. That will help him and therefore I am optimistic that he will be fit in time for the start of the World Cup in Brazil. We wish him all the best and keep our fingers crossed that the surgery will go well and he can soon start his rehab.”

Khedira has formed a formidable partnership with Xabi Alonso in the Real Madrid midfield this season, and the news will be a huge blow for Carlo Ancelotti and the team as they aim for success in La Liga and the Champions League this season.

* Follow Paul Collins on Twitter @pabmundo

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