Arjen Robben is close to a Bayern Munich return ahead of the start of the Bundesliga season after four weeks out, coming as a huge boost to manager Carlo Ancelotti.
"?Goal.com report that the Dutch international is nearing a return to full fitness after suffering an adductor injury early in pre-season having embarked on an individual training regime on Saturday.
Robben, who suffered a number of injuries during the early stages of his career, pulled up in a pre-season friendly with Lippstadt after making a sprint in the 35th minute.
"?The club posted on their official website that Robben had undertaken a light training session, turning in a number of laps around the Säbener Strass training facility.
Despite beginning to train once more, the DFL Super Cup clash with rivals Borussia Dortmund comes too soon for Robben, who will step up his return ahead of the Bundesliga season.
Arjen #Robben has taken the next step in his sports rehab programme: https://t.co/UttFzwX2ge pic.twitter.com/vNi4JwlHAJ
The Dutchman is unlikely to be fit for the club's DFB Pokal clash at Carl Zeiss Jena next Friday too, targeting the opening day of the Bundesliga season as his return date.
The reigning champions begin their trophy defence with Werder Bremen the visitors to the Allianz Arena.
Robben will be working hard to impress new boss Carlo Ancelotti after his injury ruled him out of a large part of pre-season preparations, insisting that he felt his injury agony was behind him.
The 32-year-old did return to the club's training base to begin his pre-season work after missing the latter stages of the 2015/16 season through fitness issues.
Making just 22 appearances the flying Dutchman still managed to find the back of the net on 7 occasions as the Bavarian side completed a domestic double under Ancelotti's predecessor Pep Guardiola.