Barnetta fit for Swiss opener

Switzerland midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta has recovered from his ankle injury in time for the co-hosts' opening Group A game against the Czech Republic on Saturday.  

'Full fitness'
Barnetta sustained the knock a little over a fortnight ago in a training-ground tackle with team-mate Gelson Fernandes. The 23-year-old only returned to full training yesterday, but survived the session without any ill-effects and declared afterwards that "everything went smoothly". If he appeared slightly more timid than his team-mates, he insisted he did not think twice about going in for a tackle. "I didn't have second thoughts when entering challenges," Barnetta said. "I only thought about the injury afterwards. Just three days after the injury I was back in high-intensity training so I'm not far off full fitness." 

'Very important'
It has not yet been decided if the Bayer 04 Leverkusen man will return to his customary left-midfield position this weekend, or if his replacement Johan Vonlanthen will retain his place after impressing during the recent wins against Slovakia and Liechtenstein. Barnetta is happy to wait and see. "I'm glad we have several possibilities," he said. "That has not always been the case for every position." Switzerland assistant coach Michel Pont offered Barnetta some hope, saying: "Even though he is just 23, Barnetta already gives us a lot of international experience. He is very important for us."