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Mesut Ozil expected to be fit for Germany's World Cup campaign

during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Germany and Norway at Mercedes-Benz Arena on September 4, 2017 in Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Image: Mesut Ozil will sit out Germany's final warm-up game against Saudi Arabia

Mesut Ozil's participation in the World Cup is not in danger, according to the German Football Federation.

The Arsenal playmaker has been struggling with a knee injury suffered in Germany's 2-1 defeat by Austria last Saturday and will miss the final warm-up match against Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on Friday.

The 29-year-old has been training on his own at Germany's pre-World Cup camp in Italy but took part in some running routines with the squad on Thursday.

"I didn't take part in final team training today, but some running exercises were possible again," he wrote on his official Twitter account.

Germany's team director Oliver Bierhoff added: "It's nothing dramatic, we just don't want to take any risks and he was able to sprint in training.

"I assume he will be okay for the World Cup."

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Ozil, who finished last season with a back injury, is targeting Germany's opening game against Mexico in Moscow on June 17.

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They also play South Korea and Sweden in Group F.

Mesut Ozil in action for Germany
Image: Ozil has been struggling with a back injury and a knee problem

Germany are winless in their last five games and are set to name a full-strength side against Saudi Arabia, who face hosts Russia in the World Cup opener next Thursday.

Bayern Munich star Jerome Boateng could play his first game since suffering a groin injury in April.

"We assume that Jerome is now 100 per cent fit but a final decision has not been taken," Bierhoff said.

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With Ozil out, Paris St-Germain's Julian Draxler is likely to fill the attacking midfield role with Chelsea's Antonio Ruediger stepping in for Boateng if needed.

World Cup winners Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels and Thomas Mueller are all set to return having sat out the Austria defeat with Timo Werner as the lone striker.

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