Jupp Heynckes is confident Manuel Neuer will be back and ready to play for Germany at the 2018 World Cup. With 100 days to go until the FIFA World Cup, Ian Darke joins a group of ESPN writers and experts for a roundtable discussion about what to expect in Russia this summer.
Germany remain hopeful that Manuel Neuer will be fit for the World Cup this summer as the goalkeeper tries to recover from a broken left foot.
Neuer fractured a bone in the foot on three occasions in 2017 and has yet to resume training since undergoing surgery in September. With the World Cup to start in Russia in less than three months, he is now facing a battle to return to full fitness.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of Germany's friendlies against Spain and Brazil, DFB general manager Oliver Bierhoff and Thomas Muller, Neuer's Bayern Munich teammate, both said they remained confident over the keeper's fitness.
"We were all delighted to see him," Bierhoff said about Neuer, who joined the team for a marketing day in Dusseldorf on Tuesday. "He wanted to be there. At least for one day. And I am still very positive.
"There is no pressure from us. It's a decision he and his doctor have to make. We hope and it's also our wish that he's fit when we announce the squad."
Manuel Neuer underwent surgery on his broken left foot in September.
Germany are set to announce their preliminary squad on May 15 and the 23 players who will make the trip to Russia will be finalised on June 4.
Muller said that he has heard the keeper's recovery is going according to plan.
"You should never write Manu off," Muller said. "I believe that he will make it."
However, former Germany keeper Oliver Kahn, speaking to Sport1, warned that time could be running out for Neuer.
"I believe that he will need some time. That's why he should play a couple of games in the Bundesliga," Kahn said. "But things will get increasingly difficult for the coach.
"Bayern won't put any pressure on him, but there will come a time when the coach asks himself whether he can still play him -- especially during the run-in of the Champions League. Right now, it's a dicey situation."
Stephan Uersfeld is the Germany correspondent for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @uersfeld.
Comments
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more.
Source: espn.co.uk