Tuesday 17 June 2014 14:58, UK
Javier Hernandez insists he is not banking on a place in Mexico’s starting line-up but says he will give it his all if given the nod at the World Cup.
The 26-year-old endured a frustrating campaign with Manchester United - making just six Premier League starts - but he is Mexico’s joint third-highest goalscorer of all time and is expected to lead the line in Brazil.
Miguel Herrera’s side will get their World Cup campaign underway when they take on Cameroon in Natal, with hosts Brazil and Croatia making up the rest of their Group A opponents.
Hernandez was used off the bench in Mexico’s final warm-up game – a 1-0 defeat to Portugal – and he says he is just relishing the prospect of being involved in the tournament.
"I’ve never taken a sure place for granted, not even if it’s in the reserves," he said.
"In no way do I feel like a first-choice player. But I never try to settle for what I have.
"Obviously, every footballer would like to play and if I get the chance I’ll kill myself on the pitch because I fought all these years to be at the World Cup.
"The simple fact of being in the squad makes me happy and very motivated. This is a new dream and I’m trying to enjoy it to the maximum."
