Kaoru Mitoma anticipates making a full recovery in time for the World Cup

Kaoru Mitoma, a winger for Brighton & Hove Albion, stated on Tuesday that his doctor anticipates him to make a full recovery from a right ankle injury in time to represent Japan at the World Cup in Qatar. Mitoma, who has missed his Premier League club's past two games since suffering the injury on October 14 against Brentford, said that his trainer had assured him that he might recover in time. "Right now, all I can think about is getting better soon."

Given that Brighton, which is having a strong start, has dropped three of its last four games, Mitoma is practicing separately from his teammates and is unsure if he will be able to participate in the crucial encounter against Chelsea on Saturday. Nov. 20 marks the start of the World Cup, and Japan will face the 2014 winner Germany in its opening match three days later.