Sosa resumes team training programme

Ottmar Hitzfeld supervised a rump squad of just eight senior stars and three up-and-coming hopefuls in Wednesday’s first training session of the break for international matches, although the coaching staff has promised a demanding schedule for the players left behind in Munich.

Goalkeepers Michael Rensing and Bernd Dreher pursued a separate programme, while fitness coach Zvonko Komes put the remainder of the squad through their paces with a series of uphill sprints, a dash round a course formed from poles and low hurdles, and a final punishing exercise centred on pulling weights.

Sosa returns

For all the rigour and the small size of the group, 22-year-old José Ernesto Sosa visibly enjoyed every minute of his return to the squad programme following a five-week lay-off to recuperate from surgery to remove bone splinters from his right ankle.

Ottmar Hitzfeld is hopeful of seeing the Argentine back in match action very soon: “He may yet be in contention for the Bochum trip, and definitely by the time of the meeting with Dortmund,“ the coach explained. Miroslav Klose (shin) should also be fit again soon. “I hope to see him training with the team again next week. That would be perfect,“ Hitzfeld remarked.

Zé Roberto absent, Kahn back in Munich

Klose is not yet at the stage where he can contemplate running. “Miro still has a touch of fluid around the injured area,“ Hitzfeld explained, although the striker should get the green light to go jogging any day now.

Zé Roberto will be absent for a short time, as the Brazilian called in sick with the flu on Wednesday, although Oliver Kahn dropped by the Säbener Strasse for the first time since undergoing surgery in the USA. The club captain was still heavily bandaged on his right elbow, but Hitzfeld said the operation had been “optimal”. The keeper should be back in action by early November.

Lahm closer to fitness than Sagnol

Philipp Lahm (stretched knee ligaments) should also be fit again at about the same time after missing out since sustaining the injury in early September. “I’m guessing he’ll be able to play again in two to three weeks,” Hitzfeld said. On a less positive note, no date has been set for the return of Lahm’s fellow full-back Willy Sagnol (convalescence after knee surgery). The France star managed a few laps of the training ground on Wednesday. “He’s a long way off resuming the team sessions,“ Hitzfeld commented.