David Alaba has returned to individual training two days ahead of Bayern Munich's restart following the Christmas break.
Alaba, 22, suffered a knee ligament injury in early November during Bayern's 2-0 win over Roma in Champions League.
"With David Alaba we lose a great lad and a great player," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said at the time, and added that "I think we will see him just after Christmas."
The versatile Austria international returned to the training pitch for the first time on Monday and was seen doing the rounds at Sabener Strasse -- Bayern's training facilities -- and also completed a set of sprinting and running drills, according to the club's official website.
Welcome back! @David_Alaba has his boots on and is back on the pitch for the first time since his knee injury! pic.twitter.com/w8Lv4rOi65
- FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 5, 2015
Alaba was not the only Bayern player seen at Sabener Strasse on Monday: centre-back Holger Badstuber, who started working on his comeback already on Sunday, was joined by Medhi Benatia as well midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg -- linked with a loan move away from Bayern -- and backup goalkeeper Tom Starke.
Bayern begin their winter preparation for the second half of the Bundesliga season on Wednesday. The league leaders head to their training camp in Qatar on Jan. 9, where they will stay for nine days.
When returning from the Gulf State in mid-January, Bayern will play one final test match against second-tier club Bochum before recommencing Bundesliga matches.
On Jan. 30, Bayern travel to Wolfsburg, and a win against their chasers could see them move 14 points clear at the top of the table with only 16 matches left to play.