Bogota, May 15 -- Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo has backed Minnesota midfielder James Rodriguez to be fit for the FIFA World Cup, describing him as key to the team's hopesin the tournament.
Rodriguez, 34, was Thursday included in Colombia's preliminary squad of 55 players for football's showpiece event, which begins next month in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
"He wants to arrive in the best possible shape. I see him physically well. He will be available, like everyone else in the group of 26. I know first-hand how hard he has fought," Lorenzo told a news conference in Bogota.
James has made just eight appearances across all competitions for Minnesota since joining the MLS club in February.
The former Real Madrid and Bayern Mun...