Switzerland midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta has declared himself fit for Saturday's Euro 2008 opener against Czech Republic after returning to full training with the squad.
Barnetta, 23, sprained his ankle after a training ground collision with team mate Gelson Fernandes two weeks ago but said on Thursday he was ready to play.
"I took part in a full training programme with the team on Wednesday and didn't feel any pain," Barnetta told reporters.
"I was still thinking a bit about the ankle when it came to tackling but that's normal and our next few training sessions should put an end to that.
"I have told the coach I am ready to play but of course the decision rests with him," Barnetta added.
The former under-17 European champion is one of the co-host's most talented and versatile players and his return will give coach Koebi Kuhn some welcome options when it comes to selecting Saturday's starting lineup.
Barnetta could play on either wing, providing competition for the in-form Johan Vonlanthen and Valon Behrami, or take up a playmaker role in central midfield.
POSITIVE THINKING
"Of course, I would rather not have been injured but I have played plenty of games for Bayer Leverkusen this season," Barnetta said when asked about the possible effects of missing Switzerland's warm-up wins over Slovakia and Liechtenstein.
"I am thinking positively and seeing it as a good thing that at least my body had some time to rest."
Following Barnetta's recovery, the Swiss are expected to be close to full strength on Saturday.
There are still fitness questions over central defender Patrick Mueller and right back Philipp Degen although both have been cleared to play by the team's medical staff.
Kuhn was absent from the media conference for a second consecutive day while he continues to juggle his time between team commitments and visiting his ill wife in hospital.
Alice Kuhn was taken to the nearby Zurich University hospital on Monday after suffering an epileptic fit that left her unconscious.
A Swiss team spokesman said on Thursday that she had been kept in an artificial coma by doctors and Kuhn had visited her bedside daily.
"It is a very difficult time for Koebi, obviously, but he is handling it all very well," assistant coach Michel Pont told a news conference.
"He is on his way back to the hospital now with one of our team doctors but he was with the team this morning going through our normal video analysis and the whole matter has had no effect on his approach to our preparations."
