Switzerland striker Eren Derdiyok is ready to step in if fellow frontman Alex Frei loses his fight for fitness ahead of Wednesday's World Cup opener against Spain.

Basle frontman Frei is hoping to shake off an ankle problem ahead of the game in Durban, but if he does not make it, Bayer Leverkusen counterpart Derdiyok is raring to go.

He told www.blick.ch: "No player wants to move up because someone else is hurt, and I hope he [Frei] is fit for the Spain game. If not, I am ready."

The Swiss have a tough start against the reigning European champions, but defender Reto Ziegler insists they are not in South Africa simply to make up the numbers.

He said: "We are not just here to make a good impression. We have great respect for Spain, but we want to win. "

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