Finally: Ribery returns to Bayern training after nine months

French winger last played in March against Shakhtar Donetsk

BERLIN: French winger Franck Ribery admits he was delighted to take part in team training at Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the first time after nearly nine months out with injury.

“It’s a super day for me and very emotional,” said Ribery after 264 days out with the persistent ankle injury he suffered on March 11.

The 32-year-old hopes to make his comeback on December 12 in a league game at Bavarian neighbours Ingolstadt.

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But this Saturday’s key clash against fourth-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach or next Wednesday’s Champions League game at Dinamo Zagreb are definitely too soon.

“It was the first long injury of my career and was a difficult situation for me,” he said after taking part in sprints, passing and shooting exercises. “But that’s football and that’s life, it’s important to always keep your head up and to work hard. It’s a good feeling to be back in the team.”

Ribery last wore the famous red shirt in Bayern’s 7-1 drubbing of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in March when he came off with an inflamed ankle.

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The injury only started to improve in October when he returned to individual training and even used a special anti-gravity running machine, the type developed by NASA to train astronauts, during his rehabilitation.

In his absence, France U21 winger Kingsley Coman has cemented his place on Bayern’s left flank and Ribery faces a fight to get his place back when fully fit.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2015.

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