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Bendtner worried that he may miss start of season

Nicklas Bendtner missed much of last season with a groin injury © Getty Images

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Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has admitted that he is extremely concerned by the long-standing groin problem that is threatening to force him to miss the start of the Premier League season.

The Denmark star has cut short his post-World Cup holiday in order to return to London for treatment as he bids to take his place in Arsenal's squad for their league opener against Liverpool on August 14.

Bendtner underwent surgery last season in a bid to overcome the injury, which he believes first occurred after his horrific car smash near the Arsenal training ground last September.

The 22-year-old has confessed that his failure to fully recover from the ailment is causing him a great deal of frustration. "I feel quite bad in my groin," Bendtner told the Mirror. "Sadly it hasn't [got] better during my holiday, like I expected it to - and that worries me a lot.

"I had hoped that a total break from football and training would heal the injury, but it hasn't happened. I have spoken to Arsenal throughout the holiday and I am having to do a big scan when I return this week.

"My whole body must be scanned to find out where the groin problem really comes from. I still feel pain, and it is very frustrating. I don't know where I am in relation to playing football. It doesn't feel good at all.

"Some mornings I can hardly get out of bed. It is not the best way to return to Arsenal like this, but the club and I have to get to the bottom of my problem now."

Bendtner struggled to make any impression at the World Cup for Denmark - although he did score against Cameroon - as they crashed out at the Group Stage, only adding further fuel to his concerns about the injury.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.