Manuel Neuer believes he will play for Bayern Munich again this season, despite being out since September with a broken foot.
Bayern captain Neuer, 31, has fractured his foot on three separate occasions over the past 12 months, with his latest coming last fall and ruling him out until the new year, though he admitted in October that his recovery could take at least six months.
The 2014 World Cup winner still has no official timetable for a return, however, but told FC Bayern TV he expects be back before the current campaign ends.
"There is no specific date," Neuer said. "We have to play it safe now and wait and see how my body handles the next few steps.
"But I am very optimistic and I know I will play in the second half of the season. I have to say I'm doing very well. I think my foot is doing very well too.
"I am not experiencing pain and, in my opinion, I'm on a very good track."
In Neuer's absence, Sven Ulreich has handled goalkeeper duties at Bayern. And Neuer said he's been pleased with the 29-year-old's performances thus far.
"Of course, I'm really happy for Sven," Neuer added. "We have been working so hard and so well together in training for a long time.
"He is a great goalkeeper and now he has the chance to confirm it. He is doing an outstanding job for Bayern and for the team."