Manuel Neuer has said recovery from his latest fracture could take at least half a year but he hopes to play again this season.
Neuer, 31, was injured during training last month and underwent successful surgery that was expected to keep him out for the rest of the year.
“There’s tissue repair going on inside the foot, this can last up to six months,” he told FC Bayern TV.
“It hasn’t been an easy for me and I am longing to be back on the pitch.”
Although it now appears unlikely Neuer will make his comeback after the winter break as originally expected he is still hopeful of coming back ahead of schedule.
“Of course, it always depends on the healing process,” he added. “My recovery is going well so far. I’m very positive and think I am making progress.”
Bayern are chasing a sixth consecutive Bundesliga title but are currently five points behind early pacesetters Borussia Dortmund.
Neuer, though, remains hopeful of their chances of catching their German rivals.
“We are in record mode with winning titles, no team has ever done this before,” he said. “We want to extend this record and of course become champions for the sixth time in succession.”
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