Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer could start Wednesday’s Champions League match against Arsenal if his foot does not develop further fluid after training, according to German newspaper Bild.
The 40-year-old returned to full team training on Monday afternoon after missing Bayern’s 6-1 Bundesliga win over RB Leipzig and their 3-3 Champions League draw at Stavanger with fluid in his foot.
The 2014 World Cup winner had spent the previous week undergoing rehabilitation at Bayern’s training centre. With only two days remaining before the meeting with Premier League champions Arsenal, Neuer was able to take part in a session with his team-mates.
Neuer arrived at Bayern’s Sabener Straße training ground at 14:00 on Monday. The session was held behind newly installed large screens, although Bild obtained images of the club’s number one preparing for the Champions League game.
He trained for almost 40 minutes before returning to the dressing room with the players who had featured against Leipzig. Neuer also spoke briefly with goalkeeping coach Michael Rechner, 46, before the pair embraced.
His involvement against Arsenal has not yet been confirmed. Bild reports that Bayern will assess how Neuer’s foot responds to Monday’s workload and will carry out another check after the team’s final pre-match training session at 14:00 on Tuesday.
Should the fluid not return, Neuer – a five-time FIFA The Best goalkeeper – is expected to be selected from the start on Wednesday.
If the problem reappears, 23-year-old Jonas Urbig is available to deputise. The Germany international replaced Neuer for the matches against Leipzig and at Stavanger. Urbig has made four appearances for Bayern this season, compared with six for Neuer, but current indications suggest the senior goalkeeper should be fit to face Arsenal.
Musiala ruled out
Bayern will be without Jamal Musiala for the Champions League fixture. The 23-year-old midfielder sustained a right thigh muscle fibre tear three weeks ago and has not recovered sufficiently to return against Arsenal.
Musiala continued his rehabilitation at Sabener Straße on Monday morning alongside 18-year-old Bayern prospect Maycon Cardoso. Cardoso dislocated his shoulder seven weeks ago.
Both players worked with 41-year-old rehabilitation coach Simon Martinello and 39-year-old assistant coach Floribert Ngalula. Their programme included short sprints, changes of direction and interval running on a pitch surrounded by grey screens.
Musiala is certain to miss Bayern’s match with Arsenal, while his availability for the Bundesliga away game at Freiburg on Sunday, 25 October, at 17:30 remains uncertain.
According to Bild, Bayern currently expects him to return either for the DFB-Pokal second-round home tie against Magdeburg on 28 October at 20:45 or for the Bundesliga meeting with Borussia Dortmund on 31 October at 18:30.
