Villarreal midfielder Javier Aquino said he feels prepared for his late call-up after Mexico coach Miguel Herrera added Aquino to El Tri's 23-man squad on Sunday to replace the injured Luis Montes.
"Unfortunately, it is due to the injury of a teammate and that I wouldn't wish on anyone," Aquino told reporters in Shanghai during Villarreal's visit to Shanghai SIPG East Asia. "One always wants to get on the squad by doing one's own work, but at the end of the day, this is what happened."
Montes broke his leg in two places after colliding with Ecuador's Alejandro Segundo Castillo during the 35th minute of their friendly last week in Arlington, Texas. Montes returned to Guadalajara for surgery on Sunday and is expected to be back on the pitch in four to six weeks, according to reports.
"Right now I am ready for anything that comes up at any time," Aquino said, adding that he is waiting official word from the Mexico federation. "I have always supported the team and right now I am going to keep working with my club, Villarreal, to try to be ready for anything."
Aquino said that even though the rest of the group has had a preparatory phase, he "will try to adapt" as quickly as possible.
"Mexico can surprise at the World Cup and we want this to be the time to do that," Aquino said. "For Mexico, I will always have great expectations, we must aspire to win and transcend."