Edu still has World Cup hope - 21 Mar 2006
Edu has resumed full training with Valencia and admits he has not given up hope of making Brazil's World Cup squad.
The 27-year-old joined the Che last summer on a free transfer from Arsenal but has missed all of the season with a knee injury.
He damaged cruciate knee ligaments during a pre-season practice game and has been on the road to recovering full fitness ever since.
He has now been given the all-clear to return to first-team action and could make his Valencia debut in next weekend's derby match with Villarreal.
"I'm very happy with this news," he told reporters.
"It is the best news I have had for a long time, now I just want to be lucky enough to play."
His coach Quique Flores, whose side have hit a poor run of form, admitted his return was a timely boost ahead of the run-in.
"The arrival of Edu to the first-team is like a big signing for the end of the season."
The former Gunner still has one eye on this summer's World Cup finals and believes a good run of form could still see him sneak into Carlos Alberto Parreira's final cut.
"The possibility (of going to the World Cup) is still there for me and I hope to impress Parreira in the forthcoming matches," he added.
Edu has resumed full training with Valencia and admits he has not given up hope of making Brazil's World Cup squad.
The 27-year-old joined the Che last summer on a free transfer from Arsenal but has missed all of the season with a knee injury.
He damaged cruciate knee ligaments during a pre-season practice game and has been on the road to recovering full fitness ever since.
He has now been given the all-clear to return to first-team action and could make his Valencia debut in next weekend's derby match with Villarreal.
"I'm very happy with this news," he told reporters.
"It is the best news I have had for a long time, now I just want to be lucky enough to play."
His coach Quique Flores, whose side have hit a poor run of form, admitted his return was a timely boost ahead of the run-in.
"The arrival of Edu to the first-team is like a big signing for the end of the season."
The former Gunner still has one eye on this summer's World Cup finals and believes a good run of form could still see him sneak into Carlos Alberto Parreira's final cut.
"The possibility (of going to the World Cup) is still there for me and I hope to impress Parreira in the forthcoming matches," he added.
