What Jansen's Return to Health Means for Germany Come June

He's only 24-years-old but has been capped 30 times for the Nationalmannschaft, but when Hamburg left back Marcell Jansen went down with an ankle injury last month, it looked like a potentially important piece to Joachim Löew's World Cup puzzle was taken off the table.

Now comes news that Jansen will return to training, the German FA confirmed, with the former München, Mönchenglabach player allowed to start running come next week.  While the Bundesliga season is closing soon, Jansen is unlikely to regain match fitness before Germany start camp.  Still, with three weeks to get to where he can train with the team, Jansen should make himself an option.

If he can go to South Africa, Jansen becomes a great insurance policy for Löew.  Though it is highly unlikely Jansen will initially be in Germany's choice XI, he is one of the best insurance options for Philipp Lahm on the left - whether needed because of a Lahm injury or because Lahm moves over to right back should Jerome Bôateng not work.

Jansen could also play the left side of midfield, whether it be as a late-match injury replacement, as a starter (if Germany moves back to a more conventional 4-4-2), or in place of Lukas Podolski, should the Köln man's Bundesliga problems extend into his national team play.  

In the case that Germany is chasing a goal, he could be put at left back, Lahm on the right, to give Germany two attacking players from the full back positions.

It's the kind of versatility a coach has to love, part of the reason Jansen's return to health is being trumpeted by the German FA itself.  While he is unlikely to be a star at World Cup 2010, he is another option for Löew to use, should Plan A need tweaking.

More on Jansen

World Cup 2010: Marcell Jansen Maintains Hope Of Germany Berth After Training Go-Ahead - Goal.com

AFP: Germany's Jansen optimistic of making World Cup

Marcell Jansen to resume training - USATODAY.com