Nakamura's quest

CELTIC midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is determined to shake off an ankle injury to help Japan clinch top spot in the latest Asian round of World Cup qualifiers.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada could rest Nakamura for Sunday's qualifier against Bahrain, which will decide which of the teams finish top of their preliminary group. Both are certain to qualify for the fourth stage of qualifying, so Nakamura does not need to be involved, but the 29-year-old wants to play and help Japan climb above Bahrain, who have a one-point lead going into the final Group 2 game.

Nakamura was carrying the ankle injury which continues to irritate him, when he helped Japan beat Thailand 3-0 last Saturday.

He needed a painkiller to feature in that game and may require another to start against Bahrain, who surprisingly beat Japan in Manama in March.

"The coach is thinking about resting me," Nakamura said. "But the ankle could heal by the weekend."