Bayern Munich are hopeful Franck Ribery will be able to play again soon after revealing on Saturday that the French winger’s persistent right ankle injury is showing signs of healing.
The 32-year-old former France international has not played since limping out of a Champions League match in March and remained sidelined when Pep Guardiola’s team started pre-season training at the start of the month.
But while Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said there is cause for hope after Ribery had a plaster cast removed on Thursday, there is no fixed date as to when he can play again.
“There is again light at the end of the tunnel,” said Rummenigge before Ribery took part in the Bayern team presentation in front of 68,000 fans at the Allianz Arena.
“An examination has revealed the irritation in the ligament has calmed down.
“He will start four weeks of rehabilitation training, after four weeks of wearing a light cast, and then hopefully he will be back on the pitch in the not too distant future.”
Last month, Ribery described the ankle injury as a ‘catastrophe’ as the joint stubbornly refused to get better, costing him the second half of the season as Bayern won a third-straight German league title.
The defending champions host Hamburg in the first match of the German league season on Friday August 14.
Bayern unveiled their new signings Brazil winger Douglas Costa, Germany Under-19 midfielder Joshua Kimmich and goalkeeper Sven Ulreich in a team presentation at the Allianz Arena.
Rummenigge also revealed Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to join Manchester United next season after 17 years at Bayern.
By AFP .