Injured Senegal defender Mbodji confident of playing at World Cup

Senegalese defender Kara Mbodji says he is confident he will be fit in time to particpate at this year’s World Cup.

Mbodji has not played since December after suffering a knee injury while playing for Anderlecht. Despite this, he was surprisingly included in Senegal’s 23-man list for the competition in Russia.

Five months on the sidelines

Talking to reporters at Senegal’s training camp, the defender said that spending five months on the sidelines brought ‘difficult moments’ to him, but that he had worked hard to be able to feature in Russia.

‘I want to thank the Senegalese people, my family and my club for getting me back into very good condition to be able to play’ Mbodji said.

‘Five days ago, I played 90 minutes and everything went very well. I will continue to work hard and the Senegalese will see with their own eyes that I am fit and able to play.’

He could have his first test when Senegal play a friendly against Luxembourg on 31 May.

Mané’s gesture to his 'brother' Mbodji

According to a report by Fifa, Senegalese Liverpool star, Sadio Mané, offered Mbodji to pay for his care after his serious knee injury.

‘Sadio is not only a friend to me, he is also a brother, we respect each other very much, I admire him as a player, he has always been with me during this ordeal and has supported me a lot morally,’ Mbodji said.

‘I am very happy that he is in the final of the Champions League. It is an honor for all the people Senegal, but he is not the only player in the selection to support me during this difficult period.’

Senegal have been drawn with Poland, Japan and Colombia in Group H, starting against Poland on 19 June in Moscow.