Hamit Altintop completed his first 90 minutes for three months and now has his sights set on Lyon.
Bayern midfielder proves fitness ahead of Lyon match
Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop completed his first 90 minutes for more than three months and now has his sights set on French champions Lyon.
The Turkey international suffered a reaction to a broken metatarsal in August which required more surgery keeping him out for the opening months of the season.
The 26-year-old finally made his comeback for Bayern reserves on Wednesday and declared himself fit for the UEFA Champions League Group F decider against Lyon.
The sides meet in France on Wednesday and although both have qualified for the last 16 of the competition the game will decide who goes through as group winners.
"I resumed the squad training programme two weeks ago and I worked hard with the rehab coach," Altintop said.
"I'd definitely like to play against Lyon, because I'm fit and training with the squad. If I make the trip, I'd like to get on the field."
Bayern face an important week ahead before the Bundesliga heads into the winter break. As well as the Lyon clash Jurgen Klinsmann's men face Stuttgart in a key match in the league on Saturday.
Positive
Bayern will be buoyed by the fact that they moved level on points with surprise league leaders Hoffenheim after Luca Toni secured a last-gasp win when the two sides met on Friday.
Klinsmann will be boosted by the fact that only long-term absentee Willy Sagnol is missing from his squad, although a minor question mark surrounds the fitness of striker Lukas Podolski.
The Germany international had looked to have shaken off a back injury but has now been struck down by gastroenteritis.
The 23-year-old has a faint chance of playing his part but his manager was giving nothing away, meaning Podolski and Altintop may have to wait until after the winter break for first-team action.
"It's a case of wait and see," commented Klinsmann.
