Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Skrtel handed World Cup boost

13 May 2010 - 11:24:43

Click To Enlarge

Liverpool's Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel is optimistic of his chances of being fit for the start of the World Cup.

Skrtel has been sidelined since February with a broken metatarsal but was named in a provisional 29-man squad for South Africa earlier in the week.

The 25-year-old has not kicked a ball in competitive action since a Europa League game against Unirea Urziceni on February 25.

However, he expects to be ready for the start of Slovakia's World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 15.

"It is a proud moment for my country to have qualified and I hope to be there with them," he said. "It has been a very frustrating time for me being injured and not being available for Liverpool but all I can do is wait and see.

"I've had great support from the medical staff at Liverpool and my family so I will do everything I can to be fit for the World Cup. It's a big thing for Slovakia to have qualified for our first finals. It's a dream for everyone to get to South Africa.

"We have achieved this dream as a country and now we have to show what we are all about and give our best."