Van Persie confident on his fitness

Arsenal forward Robin van Persie, who has been desperately plagued by a multitude of injuries this season, has reiterated that he shall be fully fit for the Netherlands by the time the Euro 2008 finals beckon.

Van Persie has had an intermittent season this time for Arsenal and there are growing suspicions on whether he can climb up the ladder and make himself fit for the gala event in Austria and Switzerland next month or not.

Dutch national team coach Marco van Basten has yet to name his final squad for the Euro's but Robin van Persie's inclusion in the squad is very anticipated.

But van Persie says that he needs to recover before van Basten makes his final decision. He says:

"After all the physical niggles I had this season it is not obvious that I am going to be at the top of my form.

"I must take it gradually, but I am optimistic. I think that I will be ready for the beginning of the tournament.

"It is both tiring physically as well as psychologically because each time I thought I was getting back to being fully fit, I had a reverse.

"The coach [Marco van Basten] has confidence in me, which is very pleasing and reassuring."

The Netherlands are grouped along with France, Romania and France in the Group of Death for the first stage of the competition.