Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer hits the training pitch after injury

The veteran shot-stopper, sidelined since a muscle tear in Bayern's 3-0 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen on March 5, stepped back onto the Sabener Strasse turf on Wednesday, according to Bild.

Neuer's session was light, featuring ball work, with the club planning to ramp up his workload gradually.

The injury struck in the 54th minute of that emphatic victory, as Neuer celebrated Jamal Musiala's goal that put Bayern 2-0 up. A torn muscle fibre in his right calf forced him off four minutes later, with young Jonas Urbig stepping in.

Neuer later reflected on the moment, saying, "It's frustrating to leave a game like that, but the team showed their strength." Bayern have since confirmed via X that their captain's recovery is on track, with cautious optimism surrounding his comeback.

Bayern's goalkeeping depth has been tested lately. Urbig, who impressed in Neuer's absence, suffered a foot injury that ruled him out of Germany U21 duty and halted his training for 4-5 days.

With the international break looming, the Bavarians are eyeing their March 29 clash with FC St. Pauli at the Allianz Arena as Neuer's potential return date.

Sky's Florian Plettenberg reported that the club are hopeful but realistic, noting, "If Neuer isn't ready, Daniel Peretz will get the nod." Peretz, Bayern's third-choice keeper, last featured in a 5-1 thrashing of RB Leipzig on December 20, his third outing this season.

Elsewhere in the squad, Bayern have given Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, and Sven Ulreich a breather until Sunday, while Sacha Boey, Eric Dier, and Raphael Guerreiro also sit out international duty. The focus, however, remains on Neuer, whose experience Bayern crave as they chase silverware on multiple fronts.

Meanwhile, summer signing Tom Bischof, the 19-year-old midfielder nabbed on a free from TSG Hoffenheim, faces a big few months. BILD revealed he's set to join Bayern for the Club World Cup in the USA, starting June 15 against Auckland City, despite a scheduling clash with Germany's U21 European Championships.

Bischof has said, "I want to prove myself at Bayern, pre-season is massive for me." With competition fierce in Munich, the youngster's stateside stint could be a game-changer.

Bayern fans will be watching closely as Neuer charges toward full fitness and Bischof gears up for his shot at glory. The action's heating up, and the Bavarians are ready to roll.

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