The 23-year-old club captain has only played 17 out of a possible 39 Bundesliga matches since joining from Dutch giants Ajax in July 2005 but is considered crucial to a revival in their fortunes which has seen them not win since the end of July.

"It is frustrating not to have been with the squad," admitted van der Vaart, who has been treated for a left thigh injury, he suffered on August 27th, in The Netherlands.

"However it is imperative that I am completely rehabilitated if I am to help the club fight back.

"In three weeks time, it will be the case," added van der Vaart, who it was revealed by a Dutch magazine has been injured for 20 months of his six year career.

Van der Vaart, known as the Dutch 'David Beckham' for his angelic looks and is a former model, said that it was vital that Hamburg stop the rot which sees them having drawn four and lost one of their five Bundesliga matches this season.

"We have to out an end to this run," said van der Vaart, who having undergone a second operation on his right ankle shortly before the World Cup finals started just one of the four matches and that was the dead group match between them and the Argentinians.