Bayern Munich Goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer will make his return to action in Germany’s pre-World Cup friendly match with Austria on Saturday, goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke has said.
“As it stands, Manuel will play,” Koepke told journalists Tuesday at the team training camp in Eppan, Italy. “This is a real test. These are the games he needs.”
Neuer, 32, missed the majority of the season for Bayern Munich with a broken foot and has not played for Germany since October 2016. He did play 30 minutes in a Monday training game, however, as Germany routed their under-20 side 7-1.
Coach Joachim Loew has given his number one and captain every chance to prove his fitness for the World Cup in Russia, which starts June 14, but must submit his final 23-man squad to governing body FIFA on Monday – meaning the Austria fixture in Klagenfurt is crucial for Neuer.
“Afterwards we have to use our instinct with Manuel, if it’s a go or not,” said Koepke.
Meanwhile, forwards Mario Gomez and Leroy Sane had differing days as the latter led his team to victory in a small training tournament while the former had to do regeneration work.
Gomez, 32, trained away from the rest of the group as did defender Jerome Boateng as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.
Sane on the other hand twice scored the only goal in two ‘final’ games as his Blue Team won a six-a-side competition.
Mats Hummels led the White Team, defeated in the final while Thomas Mueller, in a team with Neuer, was tournament top scorer with three goals.
dpa