VIENNA (SW) - Austria goalkeeper Jürgen Macho has been declared fit after six months on the sidelines as result of a serious injury.

Macho swallowed his tongue after a clash with England's Peter Crouch in a friendly match last November.

The keeper is positive about his comeback and the upcoming European Championships: "This is the chance to prove myself. I want to be Austria's first goalkeeper, but I won't force anything. I just do what I always do," he said.

The 30 year old AEK Athens goalie will have to compete with Helge Payer of Rapid Wien and AC Siena's Alexander Manninger.

Austria will be playing friendly matches with Malta and Nigeria before the tournament, which should give manager Josef Hickersberger a chance to make a decision.