Long-term injury absentee Manuel Neuer could return to action for Bayern Munich in their DFB-Pokal final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The 32-year-old Germany international goalkeeper has been sidelined since September last year due to an injury to his left foot, but Neuer is now closing in on a return, possibly just in time to feature for his country at the world Cup.
I understand that Manu needs playing time - it's important, too, for the national team.
Sven Ulreich
And Sven Ulreich, who has filled in for Neuer for almost the whole of the season, says he would be happy to step aside to allow his team-mate to gain some much-needed match practice in Berlin on Saturday 19th May.
He told Kicker magazine: "I would love to play in the final. I've had a good season and helped us reach the final.
"But if Manuel is fit and the coach says that he is playing, then that that's the way it is. I understand that Manu needs playing time - it's important, too, for the national team."
Bayern are 1/8 to win the DFB-Pokal this season and are 3/10 to defeat Frankfurt in 90 minutes, while the Bundesliga champions are 10/1 to prevail after extra-time.
Previously, Bayern head coach Jupp Heynckes had warned Neuer not to try and rush back into action after such a long absence, despite the obvious target being the world Cup finals in Russia this summer.
He told reporters before the weekend action: "The way it looks right now, it's positive. He's got closer - he's in a great physical shape.
"Manuel, as far as I understand him, has great ambitions to go to the World Cup, but he must not take any risks. It's a sensitive injury."
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Long-term injury absentee Manuel Neuer could return to action for Bayern Munich in their DFB-Pokal final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The 32-year-old Germany international goalkeeper has been sidelined since September last year due to an injury to his left foot, but Neuer is now closing in on a return, possibly just in time to feature for his country at the world Cup.
I understand that Manu needs playing time - it's important, too, for the national team.
Sven Ulreich
And Sven Ulreich, who has filled in for Neuer for almost the whole of the season, says he would be happy to step aside to allow his team-mate to gain some much-needed match practice in Berlin on Saturday 19th May.
He told Kicker magazine: "I would love to play in the final. I've had a good season and helped us reach the final.
"But if Manuel is fit and the coach says that he is playing, then that that's the way it is. I understand that Manu needs playing time - it's important, too, for the national team."
Bayern are 1/8 to win the DFB-Pokal this season and are 3/10 to defeat Frankfurt in 90 minutes, while the Bundesliga champions are 10/1 to prevail after extra-time.
Previously, Bayern head coach Jupp Heynckes had warned Neuer not to try and rush back into action after such a long absence, despite the obvious target being the world Cup finals in Russia this summer.
He told reporters before the weekend action: "The way it looks right now, it's positive. He's got closer - he's in a great physical shape.
"Manuel, as far as I understand him, has great ambitions to go to the World Cup, but he must not take any risks. It's a sensitive injury."
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Source: bet365.com