Kovac welcomes Hummels and Ulreich back to training

The training ground at Säbener Straße was busy again on Thursday morning – but Niko Kovac did not have all his squad available two days ahead of the clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach. After the personnel situation was even more tense at the start of the week, improvement is now in sight.

Mats Hummels and Sven Ulreich have recovered from flu and they rejoined their team-mates in training. Manuel Neuer also had to miss out again due to illness. “We hope he’ll be able to train on Friday,” said Kovac, optimistic of a quick return for his captain.

Hummels and Ulreich return - Ribéry sidelined

Kovac is still hoping for the return on Saturday of Leon Goretzka and David Alaba who were absent from the training ground on Thursday: The former has suffered with ankle problems “for quite a while” and that is why he was substituted at half-time in the Bundesliga game against Hertha BSC as the 47-year-old revealed. The Austrian recently picked up a tendon injury. It remains to be seen if he will be available for the Gladbach game. “We’ll have to see what happens. It could be we manage it but then again we might not be able to,” explained Kovac.

In addition to the longer-term absentees Arjen Robben (thigh problems), Corentin Tolisso (torn cruciate) and Kingsley Coman (hamstring), the Bayern coach will definitely be without the services of Franck Ribéry at the weekend: The Frenchman “has gastroenteritis and he’s definitely ruled out for Saturday’s game,” said Kovac.