BERLIN: Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was included in Bayern Munich’s squad for the German Cup final on Saturday, boosting hopes he will be fit enough for the World Cup.

The 32-year-old, who was named this week in Germany’s preliminary World Cup squad, has not played a game since breaking a bone in his foot back in September, putting his chances of making next month’s tournament in Russia in serious doubt.

Bayern face Eintracht Frankfurt in the German season-ending finale in Berlin’s Olympiasstadion. Backup goalie Sven Ulreich is likely to keep his starting spot as the side hopes to complete a domestic double.

“He [Neuer] has been training well and it is great to see the condition he is in. Manuel has absolutely no problems. Physically he is fully fit,” Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes told reporters on Friday. “But he will not play from the start.”

“He’s physically in top condition because he’s spent so much time in the gym and has been training well with the team.

“I don’t have a specific plan for Manuel Neuer, but I do have a match plan and he’s part of that,” added Heynckes when asked if he will use Neuer off the bench.

Neuer, who won the World Cup in 2014 and has been Germany’s first choice keeper for eight years, has been racing to get fit and started training with the team this week.

Germany coach Joachim Loew said this week Neuer would have no chance of making the final squad for Russia next month without match practice but Heynckes sounded confident the keeper would be there.

“Manuel has a presence, an authority in goal. You cannot compare him with anyone. The nation can relax. He will be a big support at the World Cup,” Heynckes added.

Making the cup final squad is a significant boost to Neuer’s hopes of being fit for Germany’s opening World Cup match on June 17 against Mexico in Moscow.

Heynckes is convinced the national goalkeeper will be ready for Russia 2018.

“I watched him train in the gym and he’s always said ‘I’ll make it [the World Cup]’, under the proviso that he had to be careful with the injury,” said the Bayern boss. “My impression since last Friday is very positive.”

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2018