Bayern's Karimi hoping to be fit by start of World Cup

IRNA - Bayern Munich star midfielder Ali Karimi hopes to be completely fit by the beginning of the World Cup on June 9, only nine weeks after suffering a serious injury on his right ankle, the kicker sports magazine reported on Thursday.

"If everything proceeds normally, I will be fit again by the time of the World Cup," said Karimi who joined again Bayern's practice sessions on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Iranian international is still hoping to get to play a few minutes in Bayern's remaining two Bundesliga matches at FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday and against Borussia Dortmund on May 13.

Karimi is a key player for the Iranian national team which will open its 2006 World Cup campaign against Mexico in Nuremberg on June 11 before facing Portugal in Frankfurt on June 17 and Angola in Leipzig on June 21.