<
>

Franck Ribery and Mario Gotze back fit for Bayern Munich - Pep Guardiola

Mario Gotze, Franck Ribery and Serdar Tasci are all available for selection as Bayern Munich go into a crucial Champions League week, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

Gotze and Ribery have both been sidelined for long spells this term, with the former sustaining a groin injury with the Germany national team in October, and Ribery suffering a setback in mid-December when a thigh injury ruled him out for several weeks.

The former France international had returned to the squad for Bayern's 3-1 win at Augsburg last week but remained an unused substitute, while Gotze has not yet been selected.

However, going into the club's first Champions League game of 2016, both players -- and winter signing Tasci -- are set to return to the squad for Bayern's meeting with newly promoted SV Darmstadt.

"Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze, and Serdar Tasci are raring to go and fit," Guardiola said at his prematch news conference.

Guardiola also talked up Saturday's opponent Darmstadt, who will be without five suspended players, in his inimitable fashion.

He said: "They have the third best record of all Bundesliga teams after us and Borussia Dortmund."

On Tuesday the runaway Bundesliga leaders travel to Turin for their first leg of the Champions League round of 16 clash with Juventus.