Thiago Alcantara could hand Bayern Munich a boost by returning from injury in time to feature in the DFB Pokal final and potentially the Champions League final.
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caption:Thiago Alcantara harbours an ambition to make Spain's World Cup squad.
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Thiago, a summer signing from Barcelona, appeared to have had his season ended prematurely when he tore a ligament in his right knee in late March during the 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim, one game after Bayern had successfully defended their Bundesliga title.
An MRI scan revealed the injury would rule the Spain international midfielder out for six to eight weeks, with Pep Guardiola and Thomas Mueller lamenting his loss.
“We’re going to miss him a lot,” Guardiola said at the time, with Mueller adding: “"It's very bitter and comes at a catastrophic time, just before the important games.”
However, while Thiago is unlikely to play in Bayern’s final three league fixtures against Werder Bremen, Hamburg or Stuttgart, he could return to face Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final on May 17.
The former Spain under-21 captain is expected to return to Munich on Friday following a spell of rehab in Barcelona, kicker has reported.
Upon his return, he will be assessed by Bayern’s club doctor Mueller-Wohlfahrt who said: “Then we’ll make plans about the next steps.”
Thiago, who has won five caps for Spain, also hopes to make the defending champions World Cup squad.