Germany's Marco Reus eyes rest rather than Confederations Cup campaign

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus has said he would welcome a summer break rather than playing in the Confederations Cup in Russia.

Germany international Reus, 27, has been in excellent form for Dortmund since returning from a muscle tear in March and scored in the weekend win over Hoffenheim that saw them return to third in the Bundesliga.

Germany head coach Joachim Low has previously said he wants Reus to play in Russia this June and July.

Low will rest a number of players with an eye on the 2018 World Cup, and Reus told reporters: "I will discuss it again with the national team coach, and we'll have to weigh what's best for me looking ahead to the World Cup."

Having missed both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship with injuries, Reus has only played one major tournament, the 2012 Euros, for Germany so far.

And he said he believed his biggest chance to make it to Russia in 2018 would come by resting this summer.

"I did not have any real holiday in the last two years because I was also doing rehab work," he said. "Thus it would be good for my body to rest for three, four weeks."

However, speaking to Sky on Sunday, Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff said he would include Reus in the Confederations Cup squad.

Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel had said he hoped Reus would not be included, but Bierhoff said: "I would not meet his wish."