GOLF: Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie, two key members of Europe's Ryder Cup team, will put their recoveries from injury to the test at this week's German Masters two weeks before the match at The Belfry.

Montgomerie's recurring back spasms have put him out of action for over two weeks, but he is now confident of being fit to help Europe's bid to regain the Cup against the US on September 27th-29th.

"I'm just pleased and anxious to get back into competition, with the Ryder Cup just over a fortnight away," said Montgomerie, one of nine European team members at the Cologne event which starts today.

Only wild-cards Jesper Parnevik and Sergio Garcia, along with Darren Clarke, are absent.

"I want to prove to the team and Sam (Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance) that everything is okay," added Monty.

"It's an important three weeks we have in Europe, culminating with the Ryder Cup, and I am looking forward to them all.

"The Ryder Cup is at the forefront of my mind and I am determined to be fit. After our get-together in the hotel in Cologne on Tuesday night, it seems closer now.

"I wouldn't say this is a test for me because I never want to say any tournament is a test. But I will be glad when Sunday night comes and I can say to myself 'well, that's okay' and we can get on with golf now instead of worrying about my back."

Harrington has suffered from a neck problem as well as an ankle injury which worsened after he turned it at the Dutch Open in late July. He had a scan on the ankle that showed only inflamed ligaments and is more optimistic after working over the weekend with his coach, Bob Torrance, the father of Ryder Cup captain Sam.

"What I am concerned about most is getting in shape for the Ryder Cup," said Harrington. "When I saw Bob (Torrance) at the weekend, he said straight away that my swing problems, that had been affecting me, were definitely a result of my neck and ankle injuries. I was way out of alignment.

"That problem takes time to solve, especially the neck injury which disturbs the whole perception of your focus, but I'm working hard to regain that perception."

Harrington and Montgomerie line up in Cologne with Frenchman Thomas Levet, the man who lost the British Open play-off to Ernie Els.

Els plays with titleholder Bernhard Langer and the player who pipped Langer for the BMW International title two weeks ago, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn. Rich Beem, the US PGA champion, is also in the field.

Langer is considering applying to become European Ryder Cup captain in 2004, a move which could bring him into competition with a rejuvenated Nick Faldo.

Six-time major winner Faldo has already made it clear he would like to follow in Torrance's footsteps for the contest at Oakland Hills in two years.

And now former team-mate Langer, who defends his title this week ahead of his 10th Ryder Cup appearance at The Belfry, has indicated he is contemplating throwing his hat into the ring.

"I think the time has come for me to think about it and I will just have to think about when the timing is right for me, whether it is at 47, 49 or 51 years old," said the 45-year-old German.

"If I am ready for it I will put my name forward because I believe as a player my time is gradually coming to an end. It will be very, very difficult to make the team at that age and therefore I have to think about my family and my golf.

"There's lots of things to consider and I will make that decision in the next five or six months."