Bayern’s skilled medical and sports rehabilitation teams still have their hands full with the senior squad. While Ivica Olic and Daniel van Buyten both made successful comebacks from injury, Miroslav Klose has suffered a setback on his road to recovery.
On Wednesday, Klose pulled up in training with a problem in his right hamstring and was forced to break off the session. The player has only just recovered from a torn muscle in the same thigh. Miro reported to Bayern doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt in the evening for a more precise diagnosis. In Tuesday night’s 2-1 DFB Cup victory against Werder Bremen, Klose made the subs’ bench for the first time since sustaining the earlier injury.
Squad programme for Contento and Breno
Tuesday was also the first time in three matches that Louis van Gaal was not required to draw on the reserve squad simply to put a few bodies on the bench. “With the number of matches we have, it’s important we get the matchday squad back up to 18 men, but that’s not been the case for two weeks,” said stand-in skipper Philipp Lahm: “We hope they all come back as soon as possible.”
However, Lahm and Co will have to wait a while longer before squad numbers return to normal. Diego Conteno and Breno are currently involved in parts of the squad training programme, but Van Gaal is keen to reintroduce the young pair gradually. Captain Mark van Bommel will also definitely miss Friday’s meeting with Freiburg.
Wednesday brought positive news of Franck Ribéry. The French winger has resumed running this week and has reported no reaction to his injury. His goal is to be match fit in two weeks. Arjen Robben is not expected back in action until after Christmas.
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