Metzelder rules out Euro return
Borussia Dortmund's injured midfielder Christoph Metzelder has ruled out any thoughts of appearing for his country in Euro 2004.
The 23-year-old has been suffering from an Achilles tendon problem for over eight months and has had to endure two operations.
The talented midfielder would probably have featured for Rudi Voller's World Cup finalists, but Metzelder is keen to dismiss any talk of a Euro 2004 comeback.
Speaking to BVB's official magazine, Metzelder said: "Under the current circumstances there is no point in even considering playing in Portugal.
"The most important thing is to be reasonable when looking at a possible comeback.
"It's the only way to guarantee being able to regain the high standards that I had reached before."
Metzelder has missed the whole of the current campaign and is unlikely to be able to return to full training until April 2004 at the earliest.
