Behrami making progress

Valon Behrami could return to training with Switzerland on Wednesday ahead of the Schweizer Nati's departure for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The West Ham United midfielder was forced off during Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw with world champions Italy in Geneva with a suspected thigh injury.

Further tests and X-rays have shown that the 25-year-old has suffered a minor muscle injury that team doctor Cuno Wetzel insisted will not endanger his participation at the World Cup.

"The first images show no serious problem. The healing process is indeed more difficult to predict, but we are optimistic he can train again on Wednesday or Thursday."

Behrami, who was limited to just two minutes of action at the 2006 World Cup in Germany by a knee injury, is expected to be a key figure in Ottmar Hitzfeld's squad.

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Handed the No11 shirt for this year's tournament, Behrami has earned 27 senior caps and, fitness permitting, is a certain starter in Switzerland's opening Group H fixture with European champions Spain in Durban on 16 June.

Before then, the popular midfielder could be involved in a special open training session at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich on Wednesday, where Swiss fans will be given the chance to watch their heroes in action one last time before they fly out to South Africa.