Franck Ribery could return to Bayern Munich training in the coming weeks, according to Pep Guardiola.
Ribery, 32, has yet to play a game this season, having picked up an ankle injury in the Champions League last-16 tie against Shakhtar Donetsk in March last term.
It has been a frustrating period for the former France international, who was initially only set to be out for a few days, but Guardiola has offered him some encouragement.
"Franck has made great strides in the past week," Guardiola is quoted by The Guardian as saying at a news conference. "Maybe he can in a week or two participate in parts of the team training."
Bundesliga leaders Bayern next take on fifth-placed Schalke on Saturday.
The Royal Blues have won just one of their last five league games, but Guardiola is expecting a tough test at the Veltins-Arena.
"Schalke's recent results have not been good but that makes them dangerous," Guardiola said. "The situation in the standings is irrelevant because they have so much quality. Schalke is Schalke."