Bayern Munich are set to be boosted by the return of Manuel Neuer when they travel to face Liverpool at Anfield next Tuesday.
The goalkeeper had been a doubt ahead of the Champions League Round of 16 first leg after suffering a thumb injury in training in January.
He has since missed Bayern’s last three games, with Sven Ulreich taking his place between the sticks amid the team’s unbeaten run.
Neuer now looks set to be available again when Niko Kovac’s men take on Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Friday evening.
Speaking ahead of the game, Kovac said: “Manuel has not had any complaints, so he’s an option for Friday’s game again,” per Yahoo Sports.
“Manuel is an ambitious goalkeeper, and those who have achieved so much must have a special ambition, and when you get there you have to do more than anyone else.”
“So, the situation is not new to him. For the games he did not play, his only choice was his own decision. The player always has the last word and in this case Manuel is ready.”
Manuel Neuer Back in full goalkeeper training this morning. pic.twitter.com/M5f4CpvZfb
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) February 13, 2019
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Though Neuer will likely make the squad that travels to Merseyside, it remains to be seen whether he will be deemed ready to start a contest of such high intensity.
Liverpool enter the game with selection problems of their own, particularly when it comes to the centre of Jurgen Klopp’s defence.
Besides being without the suspended Virgil van Dijk, the Reds could also once again be missing Dejan Lovren through injury.
The Croatian is yet to play since being substituted with a hamstring issue in the sixth minute of Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Wolves on January 7. He was also left at home for the club’s warm-weather training camp in Marbella in order to continue his recovery.
His absence could leave Fabinho to slot in at the back alongside Joel Matip, having carried out the role during last month’s 1-0 win over Brighton.