Lukas Podolski has declared that he is focused on finding top form over the next 12 months and staying in Germany coach Joachim Low's plans for next summer's World Cup.
Germany continue their qualifying campaign tomorrow night with a second successive fixture against Kazakhstan.
Podolski, who came off the bench in Friday's 3-0 win over the Kazakhs, insists that he treasures his place in the German national squad.
He said: "I've been training hard the last three weeks but missed the last game with Arsenal. Therefore, I was quite clear that I would only sit on the bench. I talked before the game with the national team coach. That was all OK.
"Of course I want to play forever. But I have witnessed so much with the national team. Some unique moments. And even if I'm now on bench, then it is no big deal for me because it is also clear the World Cup in Brazil will not start on Tuesday in Nuremberg against Kazakhstan.
"My goal is to be at the World Cup. But first we have to qualify and win on Tuesday.
The Arsenal forward has now won 108 caps for Germany at the age of 27.
Liam Power
