In Sunday's game at Fortuna Düsseldorf, Niko Kovac can in all probability welcome a returning player: Alphonso Davies' stretched inner ligament in his knee is cured, he's "re-joined training", as the Bayern coach confirmed, and is therefore "ready to return to the Bundesliga squad." The 18-year-old winger sustained the injury in the 6-0 defeat of Mainz 05 in mid-March - when he scored his first goal in FC Bayern's colours of all things - so he now has the chance to build on his tally.
In contrast, the veteran duo Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben won't be travelling to the Rhineland. "Franck has been ill for three days, he didn't train today either, so he probably won't be fit by the weekend," Kovac revealed. But while it can be assumed the Frenchman will only be out for a short period, Robben, who has already been injured for four months, is in danger of being out even longer.
Ribéry, Robben und Tolisso likely to miss out
"It's very sad that he hasn't played since November," said the 47-year-old master tactician, adding that the Dutchman must decide for himself when he's ready to return. "The player is ultimately the one who knows and feels his body best. And at the moment, he doesn't feel that he can train or play at a high level in the Bundesliga." But Kovac has not yet given up hope of Robben returning soon: "My wish is that it works out in the next few days or even this season, because Arjen deserves it!"
Corentin Tolisso is fit, but probably not a viable option for the game in Düsseldorf. The French 2018 World Cup winner had successfully completed his rehab after a cruciate ligament rupture in September, but after a tackle in Wednesday's session he missed training for the past two days. "Nothing happened," Kovac reported, playing down the consequences of a collision. After such a long time out injured, however, it's normal for the player to be more cautious after such a stressful situation. "Now we have to gradually ease him back into team training, so he can take part with his head clear," Kovac added.
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