Bayern turn attention to Stuttgart clash

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1361 votes: 2

14.11.2006

The senior squad reported back to the Säbener Strasse for training on Tuesday afternoon after enjoying a two-and-a-half day break. Felix Magath supervised a 20-strong party in the first workout of the week, the numbers swelled by a handful of reserves and the familiar face of centre-half Lucio, the Brazilian having finally shaken off a sprained ankle ligament.

"It's fine, there's no problem any more," the player told fcbayern.de after the session. The 28-year-old has been out of action since turning the ankle in Bremen on 21 October, but is ready for an immediate return to the fray: "I believe I'll be fit enough to play against Stuttgart," he declared.

Poldi and Owen close in on comebacks

The Reds are set to welcome back two further injury victims in the not too distant future. Lukas Podolski (ankle) is forecast to swap the weights room for the training ground by the end of the week, while Owen Hargreaves (fractured shin) could be ready to rejoin the squad after the weekend. However, Valerien Ismael (broken shin and calf bones) is not expected back until the New Year.

The selection situation in Munich is thus showing signs of gradual improvement, but Saturday's opponents VfB Stuttgart are troubled by a lengthening injury list. Midfielder Daniel Bierofka (knee) and defenders Fernando Meira (calf), Serdar Tasci (Achilles) and Ricardo Osorio (hamstring) were all restricted to jogging on Tuesday.

Old boy 'Hammer' suspended

Coach Armin Veh could not confirm whether the quartet would be fit in time to perform for the league leaders in Munich in the weekend's biggest match. Club captain Meira, who has only made three appearances so far this term, continues to rate as a major doubt.

To add to the misery, a one-match suspension means Thomas 'The Hammer' Hitzlsperger misses the meeting with the club where he spent a number of years in the junior team youth section. The former Aston Villa star has battled his way back to regular status in Stuttgart this season and has four goals to his name, but was dismissed for a second bookable offence in his side's 2-1 away win against Hanover 96 on Sunday.

podolski4life

Yay, Poldi and Hargreaves are coming back! Very Happy

tracylynn

Finally, some update on the injury status of Lukas and Owen, and it looks like Lucio might, or could very well, be back in the line-up this weekend.