Bendtner confident over fitness

Bendner: Winning battle

Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner appears to be winning his battle for fitness ahead of his side's World Cup opener against Holland on Monday.

The Arsenal forward had yet to make an appearance since May after a groin injury but took part in full training with the national team on Tuesday, giving a boost to his chances of leading the attack against the Dutch.

The Danes have also been boosted by the news that Palermo centre-back Simon Kjaer has returned to full training, allowing manager Morten Olsen, who has come down with a virus recently, to have an almost full-strength side available for their opener.

An upbeat Bendtner appeared to be confident of his ability to take part in the game, insisting that his training methods will pay off.

"I've been training hard with the physical trainer and I'm one of those with the best heart rate in the squad," Bendtner told dr.dk.

"The football side of things shouldn't be any problem either."