SAITAMA -- Injury-jinxed midfielder Shinji Ono has given Guido Buchwald a boost by saying he is prepared to help Urawa Reds in their quest for the J. League title by starting games on the bench.
The stylish midfielder has suffered another frustrating season with injuries since his return to the Reds from Dutch club Feyenoord in January, and although Ono has appeared in 23 games this season, he has been limited to just 14 minutes playing time in the last four matches.
Ono is now battling a left ankle injury but the 27-year-old has told Reds boss Buchwald he still can play a vital role in the championship run-in if he starts games as a substitute.