The 23-year-old Christoph Kramer may have only one German cap to his name but the energetic Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder is favoured to make the final German squad.

  DPA/St Leonhard, Italy

Christoph Kramer may have only one German cap to his name but the energetic Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder could yet make the final squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

Kramer made his debut for Germany just two weeks ago but the 23-year-old midfielder does not look out of place alongside established internationals.

“I don’t have fear, only respect,” said Kramer yesterday at the German training camp in South Tyrol. “I’m just taking it as it comes and trying to enjoy it.

The Borussia Moenchengladbach player ran an average of more than 13 kilometres per match in the Bundesliga this season, a mark unmatched by anyone else.

But running alone does not earn a place in the German national side and, given a chance by injuries to others, Kramer appears to have seized his opportunity after being included in the provisional squad just hours before the deadline.

 Kramer made an impression in his debut against Poland in a friendly match, and has continued to perform strongly when training with Germany regulars such as Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Mario Goetze.

Kramer being “incredibly strong and highly resilient” is certainly of value to coach Joachim Loew, who also praised his defensive ability and fitness.

Loew even said there is a “good chance” he will go to the World Cup.

A strong defensive presence in midfield is a reassuring prospect for the coach who has seen Ilkay Guendogan and Lars Bender ruled out with injury, while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira continue to search for full fitness.

“I try to help everywhere on the pitch, when it is needed in the situation,” said Kramer. “I can run to the point where it hurts, get over it, and keep going.”

In a camp bounce game against the Germany under-20 side, Kramer joined Toni Kroos in central midfield and played admirably.

The situation is not far removed from 2010 when Michael Ballack’s injury suddenly opened the door for a young Khedira to make his mark at the World Cup. 

Now it is Khedira’s turn to be not fully fit and the turn of someone else to—possibly—reap the benefit.

“I don’t put any artificial pressure on myself,” Kramer said.

But however calm his attitude remains, there will be pressure when Germany face Cameroon in Moenchengladbach, where Kramer is so at home pounding over the park, on Sunday.

“Of course this is a special game for me,” he said. “I hope the coach might give me a few minutes in at my home.”

A few minutes is the very least Kramer can expect given the current injury situation. And one more big performance should be enough to ensure his name is not one of those removed by Loew when he submits his final World Cup squad to FIFA on June 2.