Bernat set to return, Rafinha making progress
Juan Bernat is poised for a return to competitive action. Coach Pep Guardiola is considering calling his compatriot into the matchday squad for Sunday's home match against Hoffenheim. The 22-year-old missed the restart fixture against Hamburg due to ongoing muscular problems, but resumed the team training programme earlier in the week and is a crucial alternative in defence in the light of Jérôme Boateng's lay-off.
Rafinha making progress
Things are looking good for Rafinha too. The right-back, who began running again at the beginning of the week after sustaining a bruised knee, took up parts of the team training programme on Friday. During the next week the 30-year-old might be fit enough to resume the full squad programme, Pep Guardiola announced.
Hoffenheim without Schwegler and Polanski
17th-placed Hoffenheim take on Bayern this Sunday without Pirmin Schwegler and Eugen Polanski. The two experienced midfielders miss out with thigh problems, coach Huub Stevens announced on Friday. It remains to be seen whether Tarik Elyounoussi, who resumed the Hoffenheim squad programme on Friday after recovering from a torn hamstring, will be available for selection.