Perennially injured Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby still harbours ambitions to play at this year's World Cup.
The 27-year old has failed to feature for the Gunners this season after injuring an anterior cruciate ligament in training last year but is now on the road back to full fitness.
Diaby has made just 40 times since the end of the 2009/10 season because of various leg problems but despite that lack of action, is determined to push back into the Arsenal line-up before setting his sights on France's squad for Brazil 2014.
"I make progress," he told France Football. "I do not ask myself questions, I work hard because I know that after that I will play.
"In my head, I still feel like a footballer, like a top athlete. I never thought of giving up.
"It does not mean that there were no difficult moments sometimes, but there are people who live through much harder things in life. I know my reward will be in the pleasure of playing.
"I've never given up hope of going to the World Cup. Thinking of that has kept me going. Once I'm back on pitch, everything's possible."
