Belgium and Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany is confident he will be fit to feature in his side’s first World Cup game against Panama on June 18.
The 32-year-old is currently struggling with a groin injury that he picked up during the friendly against Portugal on June 2.
Kompany missed training once again on Saturday as he worked on his own fitness and reports claim he could miss the first few games.
Club team-mate Kevin de Bruyne suggested Kompany may only be available for the later games in the competition but the former Anderlecht man is himself confident he will play in their first game of Group G.
He told RTBF: “I am confident it will be OK. I feel good and have often fought back.
“The goal to play at the World Cup is in my head and I try to achieve that.”
One man that wants to fill the void of Kompany is Dedryck Boyata of Celtic.
The 27-year-old believes he is good enough to step into the side if his team-mate fails a fitness test.
He told Sky Sports: “If I have the chance to play, of course I will be very happy.
“I know he has been working very hard [to return].” After their clash with Panama, Belgium face Tunisia on June 23 followed by a potential decider against England on June 28.
Belgium are 12.00 to win the tournament while they are 1.80 to win the group this summer.
Link Dafabet