The fitness of Nicklas Bendtner was once again a major topic of discussion ahead of Denmark's decisive World Cup encounter against Japan, with Morten Olsen conceding his star striker is again doubtful.

The Arsenal forward was expected to miss their opening 2-0 loss to Holland and the 2-1 victory over Cameroon, a game in which he scored, but won his battle with a groin problem on both occasions.

Now, with just 90 minutes separating the Scandinavians from a place in the next round, Bendtner continues to struggle with the injury that has plagued him for almost the entire season.

Bendtner has already been singled out as the danger-man in Rustenburg for the Asians by their coach Takeshi Okada and Olsen said: "First of all we have to see if he can play and we will decide that tomorrow (Thursday).

"He has been doing quite all right. It's by necessity that every other day he does not participate in the practise.

"Every time he has played we wait to see the reaction from his injury. There's always a doubt when we have injuries like that, so we will have to wait and see."

Japan coach Takeshi Okada has urged his team to think of nothing but victory, despite knowing a draw would be enough to get them into the last 16.

The Asian side head into the match in second spot in Group E, ahead of their European opponents on goal difference.

A point will get Japan into the knockout phase, but Okada wants his players to go out with only the full three points on their minds.

"In our meeting today, I did tell the players that we should not think about any draw," he said.

"This means that we have to score. So from the beginning we will start out with the intention of winning."