Xherdan Shaqiri has declared himself fit and ready to face Swansea City after picking up a knee injury during the international break.
Shaqiri was withdrawn at half time during Switzerland’s Euro 2016 qualifying game against Estonia but has said he has shaken off the injury and will be ready for Monday night’s trip to the Liberty Stadium.
Shaqiri wanted to be cautious
Stoke City’s record signing said that he had “felt a twinge” and wanted to be “cautious.” He continued to say that it was “wiser” he did not finish the game against Estonia but is adamant he is ready to face Garry Monk’s side.
The winger turned 24 during the break and said he feels “all right” and he just wanted to “play it safe” with his injury.
He has had a stop start to his career at the Britannia stadium but admits he wants to recapture the form that secured him moves to European giants Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has been one of Shaqiri’s biggest supporters and remains adamant that the Potters fans will see the best of the winger once dubbed ‘ the Alpine Lionel Messi.’
Switzerland secure spot at Euro 2016
Shaqiri played an integral part in the Switzerland bid for a place at Euro 2016 and finished as the nations top scorer in qualifying with four goals.
The winger said he “never doubted” that the Swiss would qualify for the tournament because they always “had confidence.”
The side suffered only one loss in qualifying but that was against eventual group winners England who finished unbeaten in their qualifying campaign.
Shaqiri said that his side “got better” as they got deeper into qualifying games and said that the final game, a 1-0 win over Estonia courtesy of an own goal, shows that the Swiss can win even when they “don’t play well.”