Müller gets thumbs up after successful operation; Neuer, Javi making progress

You are perhaps thinking, "Wait: Thomas Müller injured?!" No, Thomas Müller did not suffer a catastrophic injury requiring surgery. For undisclosed reasons, however, he required a minor operation on his right thumb. The operation was a success.

Müller will have completely recovered from the surgery by early July, when Bayern Munich's summer training program commences. The first test game takes place on July 6 against BCF Wolfratshausen in the picturesque Bavarian town just south of Munich, followed by the Telekom Cup and then a tour of China.

Teammates Javi Martinez and Manuel Neuer meanwhile are recovering at a slower pace. The shoulder injury that Javi Martinez suffered while hiking in his native Spain - a broken left collarbone - has proven to be more serious than it first appeared. The club optimistically anticipates that Martinez will be fit by the time the season begins in August.

Manuel Neuer is making better progress on the foot fracture he suffered in Bayern's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid - truly, an injury added to insult. Current plans foresee Neuer returning to individual training in July so that he will be fit by the beginning of the season. Neither he nor Martinez will travel with the team to China.

Fan challenge: How do you think Thomas Müller injured his thumb?