HAMELIN, June 16: France midfielder Florent Malouda, whose World Cup adventure started in pain, said on Friday he was fully fit and ready to play.

Malouda, who missed the opening 0-0 draw with Switzerland in Group G on Tuesday, revealed he had suffered from haemorrhoids.

“I’d never had that before and it was not the best time to have it but it's over now and I'm absolutely fine,” he said.

“I underwent surgery in Germany last week.”

The nature of Malouda's problem was unknown until the player spoke to reporters, France coach Raymond Domenech refusing to reveal make medical information about the players to the media.

The 26-year-old Malouda, playing for his country in a major tournament for the first time, is expected start when the 1998 world champions play South Korea on Sunday in Leipzig.

“I've got pins and needles in my legs,” Malouda said. “I just can't wait to play.”

The Olympique Lyon player was confident France would recover from a sluggish start to survive a group also featuring Togo.

“I'm not worried at all,” he said.—Reuters