When Manuel Neuer can return to Bayern Munich action

The international break could not have come at a good time for Bayern Munich.

The Bavarian giants are missing several key players due to injuries, and some of them are long-term absentees.

Manuel Neuer is also currently out with a foot injury, while Ismael Saibari, Luis Diaz and Serge Gnabry are also missing.

Christian Falk has informed CFBayern Insider that Bayern bosses are confident that Neuer will make a return as early as in January.

Jonas Urbig has proved to be a reliable deputy and he is likely to remain as first-choice keeper once Neuer retires.

Bayern at the moment have no plans to sign a new keeper in the January window, and Neuer will reclaim his starting spot once he returns from injury.

The club is happy to give him the time he requires to regain his full fitness. They want both Neuer and Urbig to be in prime shape during spring.

The big question, however, is when will Neuer retire?

Bayern are putting no pressure on the 40-year-old keeper to hang up his gloves, but future plans are being made.

Neuer seems to be enjoying his game at the moment, and has not dropped any major hint about his retirement plans.

However, there are suggestions that this could be Neuer’s final season at Bayern, and he is expected to retire next summer.

At the same time, the German keeper is not planning an early retirement despite his injury problems. Rather, Bayern expect him to take his position between the sticks after he fully recovers.

Urbig is most likely to take the baton from Neuer next season, but Bayern are already planning about who could become the second-choice keeper.

Oliver Baumann, Bernd Leno, Loris Karius are reportedly some of the candidates on their list.