Striker Atsushi Yanagisawa on Tuesday gave Japan coach Zico a reason to be cheerful when he declared himself fit to play in Japan's World Cup opener against Australia.
Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa works out during the national team's training
camp in Bonn.
Yanagisawa, who has only recently recovered from a broken metatarsal, returned to training on Tuesday after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during practice last week.
"I have had a bit of a rest and there are no problems and I'm able to move well again," said Yanagisawa.
"I have got no reason to be concerned now and I want to play. It's now up to the coach to decide whether or not to pick me," added the former Sampdoria striker.
Yanagisawa's recovery has given Japan a boost but coach Zico is still sweating on the fitness of right-winger Akira Kaji for next Monday's Group F showdown in Kaiserslautern.
Yanagisawa looked razor sharp in the 2-2 draw against Germany in Leverkusen a week ago in his first proper match since breaking a metatarsal in a J. League game with Kashima Antlers at the end of March.
The 29-year-old earlier this year returned to Kashima in a bid for more playing time ahead of the World Cup after a frustrating spell in Italy at Messina.
Yanagisawa moved to Messina in the summer of 2004 from Serie A side Sampdoria, where he failed to score a single goal in 15 league appearances. He did not register a goal in 29 matches for Messina and rejoined Kashima on loan until after the World Cup.