Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has recovered from his shoulder injury and will start Monday's World Cup match against Portugal, coach Joachim Low said on Thursday.
Germany captain Philipp Lahm, who was also struggling with an injured ankle, is likely to play a holding midfield position rather than in the back four, a visibly relieved Low told a news conference ahead of his team's Group G opening game against Portugal in Salvador.
"The injury situation is causing me less and less concern," Low said. "Manuel Neuer took part in training today and he is ready to go on Monday.
Neuer, Germany's number one goalkeeper for the last four years and pillar of their defence, injured his shoulder in Bayern Munich's German Cup final victory over Borussia Dortmund last month.
The injuries had cast a shadow over Germany's World Cup training camp.
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Neuer did not play in the friendlies against Cameroon and Armenia. Lahm, considered one of the world's best right backs, played in midfield against Armenia.
"Phillip Lahm played midfield from the start against Armenia and I'm fairly confident that will be the same solution for us on Monday," Low said.
Low, addressing the media for the first time since his team arrived in Brazil five days ago, said he was in an extraordinarily good mood because the squad's base on an island was working out well despite concerns it would not be finished on time.
