Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa suffered an injury scare during training on Saturday, two days before Japan launches its Asian Cup title defense against Group D underdog Palestine.
Kagawa landed on his left elbow during a game of foot volleyball. The 25-year-old left the pitch early as a precaution, although suggested he was not hurt that badly.
"I just came down and landed on the elbow, that's all," said Kagawa, who has been training with a strapped-up left leg.
"It was a close shave. It would be no joke getting injured (in a situation) like this. I just have to try and keep my focus."
Kagawa wasn't entirely convincing when asked about his left leg, saying, "It's no big deal."
The former Manchester United midfielder had to miss a large chunk of his title-winning debut season with Dortmund in 2011 after suffering a broken metatarsal in the semifinals of the Asian Cup against South Korea in Qatar.
He said his motivation levels are increasing after the 2015 tournament got under way on Friday, with hosts Australia coming from a goal down to thrash Kuwait 4-1.
"I saw a little bit of that match and I am getting more and more motivated.
"There is not so much video footage (of Palestine), so I can't make a judgment on what they are like. When we have a meeting about them I'll try and create an image in my mind," he said.