It’s been set back after set back for Manuel Neuer this season after suffering a hairline fracture in the same foot that he had injured back in the spring of 2017. He was initially expected to return at some point around the start of 2018, but the injury has proven to be more troubling the second time around. He has not featured for Bayern Munich since September, in the 4-0 win over Mainz.

Neuer has recently taken his recovery and rehabilitation training to Thailand, where he provided an update on his progress while speaking to Sky Sports Bundesliga (via Bundesliga.com):

I know things are coming along very well, but of course there’s still time until I’ll be at full strength. I can’t say right now exactly how long that’s going to be. I’m currently at around 80 per cent of my body weight at five km/h on the treadmill and that’s going up all the time.

Running, he admits, is right around the corner:

I expect to be walking at up to 90 per cent without any problems next week, and then be up to 100 per cent the week after, then I’ll slowly start running. My walking profile is pretty good, and I’m not feeling any pain. I’m pretty confident I’ll be playing again in the second half of the season.

On Sven Ulreich and the World Cup

Sven Ulreich has done an exceptional job standing in as Bayern’s number one keeper in Neuer’s absence, and Neuer made sure to give praise to his compatriot:

He’s a great goalkeeper and he’s been able to prove that now. He’s doing a great job here for Bayern and the team.

With the World Cup finals only a mere four months away, Neuer’s made it his top priority to ensure he’s fully fit and firing on time to be Die Mannschaft’s number one keeper for the tournament:

It’s a very important tournament for me. I think Germany need me and I like being part of the Germany team too. Anybody would like to be involved in a World Cup. I still have aims with Bayern in the second half of the season, and then of course the main objective of [playing with] the national team in the summer.

On behalf of all Bayern fans, we wish Manuel Neuer a speedy recovery!