Van Der Vaart ready to face Nuremberg
Hamburg's Dutch midfield star Rafael van der Vaart has said he has recovered from back-to-back hamstring and thigh injuries and is set to play in the German league against Nuremberg on Sunday.
The 29-year-old tore his hamstring in November, then suffered a thigh strain at Hamburg's training camp in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, but the Dutch star says he is fit to face Nuremberg when the Bundesliga resumes this weekend.
"Things are pretty good, I haven't got any pain in the thigh any more," he said having announced the split from his celebrity wife Sylvie earlier this month.
"It's looking good for Nuremberg, I can play."
On Monday, Van der Vaart was put through his paces and is expected to take part in full team training on Wednesday with coach Thorsten Fink having said he "doesn't want to risk him" unless fully fit.
Van der Vaart rejoined Hamburg in August after spells at Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur and helped lift the north German team up to 10th in the table having been in the relegation zone.
