Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is confident he will be fit and ready to play at Euro 2016 this summer.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury sustained playing for Manchester United in their FA Cup third-round win over Sheffield United in January.

The World Cup winner is confident that he will return to action in March and is convinced that will give him enough time to prove his credentials for the European Championship that start in France on June 10.

He said: “Assuming the European Championship doesn’t suddenly get moved forward to the beginning of March, things are looking good for me.”

The former Bayern Munich player, who has won 114 caps for Germany since making his debut in 2004, believes it is unfair for people to question his place in the national squad, particularly as he has featured on a regular basis at club level this season.

He added: “I’ve played 27 competitive games this season despite suspensions and injuries. It could have been better, but the proposition is unreasonable.”

Schweinsteiger will play in his fourth European Championship if selected for the finals this summer, where Germany will face the Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland in Group C.

Joachim Low’s side are 1.33 to finish top of the group and 1.02 to qualify for the knockout stages.