Marco Fabian is aware he needs game time in order to qualify for Mexico’s World Cup squad.
The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder underwent back surgery in August after he had only been able to play football with the aid of painkillers during the first half of the year.
He returned during the winter break and has played in three Bundesliga games, but he has yet to start a match for Frankfurt.
And, with the World Cup less than four months away, Fabian told kicker on Monday that he is aware he will need game time in order to be selected by Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio.
“I am fully fit again and working hard,” Fabian said. “First of all, I want to reach my goals with Eintracht Frankfurt, but looking ahead to the World Cup, I do need match practice. Nobody’s guaranteed a place and you need to put yourself forward for a ticket.
“I am in regular contact with the national team, and in January, the FA’s sporting director visited me here in Frankfurt.”
Fabian is not the only Mexican looking for match practice with former Bayer Leverkusen attacker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez struggling at West Ham United following his move last summer.
The 29-year-old, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, has only become a regular for West Ham in recent weeks after being linked with an early exit during the January transfer window.
“It’s true he did not win too many minutes and was injured, but he can now play until the World Cup and use the time to return to top form,” Fabian said of Hernandez, his former Chivas teammate.
In recent months, a number of Mexico internationals have arrived in MLS, with Carlos Vela joining LAFC from Real Sociedad and the Dos Santos brothers, Giovani and Jonathan, reuniting at LA Galaxy following Jonathan’s transfer from Villarreal in in July.
“I wouldn’t call that a mistake they joined those clubs,” Fabian said. “We will play a good role at the World Cup, and those players will be a great help for us.
“You should not underestimate the American league. It’s constantly developing. I know the lads are working hard.”
Stephan Uersfeld is the Germany correspondent for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @uersfeld.
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