Per Mertesacker Says Ankle Surgery Won't Cost Place in Germany's Euro 2012 Squad

Per Mertesacker Says Ankle Surgery Won’t Cost Place in Germany’s Euro 2012 Squad

by Nick Ironside on Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 6:15PM

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Per Mertesacker's ankle injury would rule him out of action "for the long term". Despite undergoing season-ending reconstructive surgery, Mertesacker expects to be included in Germany's 23-man roster for Euro 2012, FIFA.com reports.

Mertesacker has been an important part of Germany's defense since making his international debut in 2004. He was projected to be a starter on manager Joachim Low's team before the injury. The towering defender is sure he'll recover in time to participate in this summer's European Championship.

"The Euro is not in danger," Mertesacker said. "I had surgery last night and a piece of bone has been reattached to the ankle, as have the ligaments. All's gone well, and I am already in rehab."

Germany is part of the so-called "group of death". Holland, Denmark and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will all battle for the top two spots in Group B. Mertesacker has played for Germany 79 times in his career, and his country is one of the favorites to win this summer's tournament.