When will Vincent Kompany return to Bayern Munich? “There is a good opportunity”

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany's return remains uncertain as he recovers from illness, but there is cautious optimism he could be back after the international break.

"I've had a few really good phone conversations with him over the last few days. He sounds very positive and seems to be on the way to a full recovery. We haven't set a date, but the international break gives us a good opportunity to reflect on everything a little and assess when he'll be back," assistant Aaron Danks said ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga match away at Mainz 05.

Kompany remains sidelined because of irritation of the meninges. The 40-year-old left hospital last week.

For the trip to Mainz, Bayern Munich will also be without the injured Luis Díaz, Serge Gnabry, Ismael Saibari and Jamal Musiala. Danks hopes Díaz and Musiala can "return to full team training" after the two-week international break. That would be "very positive progress", he said, but the Englishman would not set "a deadline" for either player's comeback: "That's difficult."

Interim coach Danks expects Aleksandar Pavlovic, who has been carrying a knock, to be available against Mainz. "He completed the whole training session. We just have to wait and see how his legs recover," Danks said. He also said things looked "good" for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but suggested Alphonso Davies could be rested: "There are a few players we'll take out for a bit because of the heavy workload. Alphonso Davies, possibly. We have to be careful."