Schweinsteiger Set To Make Bundesliga Return

Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will return to Bundesliga action this weekend, after a prolonged period of injury. After losing Philipp Lahm this week, Schweinsteiger's return is good news for Pep Guardiola.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to make his first Bundesliga appearance for Bayern Munich since helping Germany win the World Cup this summer.



The 31-year-old playmaker has been on the sidelines for 132 days after first injuring his ankle in a demonstration game against the MLS All Stars in Oregon, then straining knee ligaments. Schweinsteiger has struggled to shake off a nagging ankle problem for several seasons now with 2012 and 2013 interrupted by small injuries throughout the season.



Now, the midfielder will run out at the Allianz Arena on Saturday against fifth-placed Hoffenheim, hoping to put his injury troubles behind him and ease the injury headache for his Spanish coach.



"Bastian is in the squad," said Pep Guardiola at Friday's press conference at Bayern Munich's club base.



"It's good news, he is back and it's one more player for the squad. I don't know if he will play from the start," he added, conceding the midfielder is "not 100 percent fit."



Lahm out, Schweini in?



Schweinsteiger's return is a welcome piece of good news for the Bavarians who will need to do without Philipp Lahm for up to three months after he broke his foot in training this week.



Guardiola has recognized that the former German international was one of his central players, at either right-back or in midfield. The 31-year-old had successful ankle surgery on Thursday, and will stay in hospital for the next few days.



"He was my most important player and this makes it very hard for us," said Guardiola.



The German league-leaders, who face Manchester City in the Champions League next week, are still without David Alaba, Thiago Alcanatra and Javi Martinez. Defender Holger Badstuber also remains another long-term absentee. Meanwhile, Jerome Boateng is back in the team for this weekend after recovering from a calf problem.



Saturday's opponents Hoffenheim proved to be tough for Bayern last season, with the champions winning 2-1 in Sinsheim and then drawing 3-3 in Munich, albeit after Guardiola's team had already clinched the championship.



rd/al (AP, AFP)