Lahm set to join German squad

Sardinia:

German defender Philipp Lahm is expected to join the national team on Saturday, three days after elbow surgery. Lahm is expected to fly to Sardinia on Saturday and then move with the team to its second training base on Lake Geneva one day later. He partially tore ligaments and tendons in his left elbow during a practice match on Tuesday, shortly before coach Juergen Klinsmann's squad flew to southern Sardinia. Lahm had surgery on Wednesday in Munich. Officials hopeful German team officials expected Lahm to be back in full training within two weeks and to be able to start running three days after the operation - provided no complications occur. a€œI am confident that I'll manage to make it,'' the 22-year-old Bayern Munich defender said. Klinsmann was optimistic that Lahm would be fit for the World Cup, which Germany kicks off on June 9 against Costa Rica in Munich. a€œWe have enough time and we will decide what pace to put him under in Sardinia,'' Klinsmann said. Lahm is a starter on the left flank and his absence could force Klinsmann to change his 4-4-2 system. Starting goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will join the team on Sunday in Geneva, as previously arranged, having been given some time off after Wednesday's Champions League final. Lehmann was sent off early in the game and his Arsenal lost 2-1 to FC Barcelona. (AP)