World Cup 2018: Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka ‘very relieved’ knee injury won’t stop him going to Russia

The Swiss international had a scan after injuring his knee in training

Arsenal's Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka said he was "very relieved" after learning a knee injury he suffered in training will not threaten his World Cup 2018 participation.

Xhaka sustained an injury to his left knee in a challenge while training in heavy rain with his international team-mates in Lugano on Thursday, the Swiss Football Federation said.

But an MRI scan that evening showed he had suffered only a bruise to the bone.

"I'm very relieved," Xhaka said on the Swiss FA website.

He will miss Sunday's friendly with Spain, but is not a doubt for the World Cup.

He could be back for Switzerland's second warm-up match against Japan, with their World Cup campaign starting against five-time champions Brazil on June 17.

The 25-year-old has struggled to win over the Arsenal fans since his move from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, but is an integral member of the Switzerland side.