Uruguay v Germany:MIROSLAV KLOSE is hoping to shake off a back injury ahead of Germany's match with Uruguay in what will surely be his last chance to write his names in the history books of the World Cup.
The Bayern Munich striker is just one goal shy of the all-time World Cup finals scoring record of 15 held by Brazil’s Ronaldo.
Klose’s two goals against Argentina in the quarter-finals put him level with Gerd Muller, the legendary German striker of the 1970s, and in sight of Ronaldo’s mark.
The 32-year-old is hoping to shake off a back injury before the third-place play-off match in Port Elizabeth this evening but insists the all-time scoring record is not uppermost in his mind.
Klose said: “I want to win against Uruguay, even if I don’t score, that’s still the most important thing.
“I don’t know whether I am going to pass Ronaldo’s record, and I don’t really care. I am more interested in what we do as a team.”
Klose and Thomas Mueller, who returns after missing the semi-final defeat by Spain through suspension, are also still in contention for the Golden Boot award as tournament top scorer.
Both Germany players have four goals, one behind Spain’s David Villa and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, who go head to head in the final tomorrow.
They may also be up against Diego Forlan, also on four goals, though he too is struggling with injury.
Germany captain Philipp Lahm insists the match is relevant to the players despite the disappointment of missing out on the final.
He said: “We saw four years ago how great this game can be and we want to go home with a win and with a good feeling.
“Before, like a lot of people, I didn’t even want to watch this match on television.
“But now, I believe that winning this match is important, that it can provide us with some consolation.”
Lahm is one of those who has been hit by the flu outbreak that has hit the Germany camp, with Lukas Podolski and coach Joachim Loew also affected.
Luis Suarez, the Uruguay striker has called on his team-mates to “play to the death” to secure the prize of third place in the tournament.
Suarez said: “For this squad, the World Cup is not over yet. Now what’s left is to play to the death for third place.”
