Argentina and Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze has said he will only play for Argentina at the World Cup Finals if he is fully fit.

The experienced full-back is desperately trying to get to full fitness in time for the tournament in Germany as he steps up his rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury sustained back in September.

Even though Heinze has made the starting line-up just four times all season for Manchester United, Heinze has always maintained that he would be able to regain his fitness in time to represent Argentina at the Finals.

However, with time now running out, Heinze has said that he will only play if he is at optimum fitness, aware that the team's success is more important than his own.

“I am working very hard to recover from an injury but I am not ready yet,” said Heinze to Radio 10.

“I wish to have the chance to play at the World Cup but I have to be very clear and sincere.

“If I am not the same player I was before and I am not 100 percent recovered, it will be better to leave my position to another player.

“I can't go to the World Cup only because I have the wish to be there.”

Heinze has been putting in maximum effort every day in training, as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson recently testified, but whether he makes the Albiceleste World Cup squad is still in question.

“I am glad that my recovery is going on well, but you never know what can happen with a knee, even more with my one that is very special,” said Heinze.

“I am working every day to end any problems but if I see that I am not totally well, I will prefer to leave my place to another player.

“The national team and the dreams of an entire country is more important than one player.”

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