Willian plays down injury concerns ahead of Germany clash

The Chelsea winger confirmed that a knock he sustained during training is not serious, while Fifa revealed the Selecao have lodged an appeal against Thiago Silva's suspension

Brazil midfielder Willian has played down fears that he could miss his team’s World Cup semi-final clash against Germany through injury.

The Chelsea winger took a knock in training on Saturday, which resulted in questions being asked over the 25-year-old’s availability for the crucial match in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

With the Selecao’s talisman, Neymar, ruled out of the rest of the competition after suffering a fractured vertebra in Brazil’s quarter-final win over Colombia last week, Willian is one of the players who could replace the Barcelona forward against Germany.

But despite the fears over his fitness, Willian has now revealed that his injury is not serious and he is training as normal.

"I am feeling great,” he said.

“I was hurt on my left side in training yesterday (Saturday) and it bothers me a bit but it is nothing significant and it won't stop me training today.”

Brazil midfielder Luiz Gustavo is set to return against Germany following his suspension in the win over Colombia, while Fifa have confirmed they have received an appeal from the Selecao against Thiago Silva’s one-match ban.

The Brazil captain was ruled out of his team’s semi-final game after picking up his second yellow card of the competition on Friday, but the governing body will now debate whether or not the suspension should be overruled.