Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he will exercise patience with Arjen Robben by slowly introducing the Bayern Munich winger back into the first-team fold after another long injury lay-off.
The Italian spoke to the assembled press ahead of his side's Bundesliga encounter with Hamburg on Saturday.
Robben has been sidelined since March with an ongoing abductor injury that has refused to settle down since September 2015.
Arjen's Curve Shot is back! This is wat we call an Inside Winger (Video: Arjen #Robben Curve Shot goal compilation) pic.twitter.com/jHlUyzZIkH
The injury-plagued 31-year-old made his first Bayern start for 200 days in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Hertha Berlin - a match that Robben also notched a superb strike in - and after the game the Netherlands international admitted he had to be 'sensible' as he worked his way back to full fitness.
Ancelotti was in agreement with his star ahead of the trip to the Volksparkstadion, and stated that Robben would figure from the bench for the foreseeable future.
He said: "I spoke to Robben, he'll be on the bench for the time being. He'll play in the second half."
Ancelotti also confirmed that first-choice players such as Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski would all start against Hamburg.
He continued: "Neuer, Hummels and Lewandowski will play against Hamburg.
"I will rotate things tomorrow “ I'll decide on the line-up after training. Rotations are important, from a physical and mental perspective."
The former Real Madrid and Chelsea head coach added that his side would have to be wary of the threat posed by the hosts.
Bayern head into the clash with a 100% winning record in all competitions, while Hamburg have won just once in five matches this term - including three successive defeats.
Ancelotti, though, insists his charges must be switched on from the off if they are to maintain their excellent start to the season.
He added: "Hamburg will try to defend well and hurt us on the counter tomorrow. We need to be prepared for that.
"I'm sure it will be a difficult one for us. We want to start as we did against Hertha."
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