After a nine-month ankle injury lay-off Franck Ribery was named on Friday in Bayern Munich's squad for this weekend's Bundesliga trip to Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Coach Pep Guardiola revealed Friday that the 32-year-old French midfielder was on the brink of making his return.
And it was confirmed by the reigning three-time Bundesliga's champions later Friday that he would be in the squad for Saturday's game.
"Franck has been training well this week. After nine months he feels no pain, which is delightful news. I believe he'll be back in the team before the winter break," Guardiola told a press conference.
"He's in a good mood, he's been laughing again and that's great news," added Guardiola.
If he plays on Saturday it will be his first match in his ninth Bayern Munich campaign since joining the club in 2007.
In 2013 he was a key player in the team's run towards the Bundeliga, German Cup and the Champions League titles, and finished third that year in the FIFA Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
"It's a good feeling to be back in the team," said the Frenchman after his return to team training on Wednesday.
"I have felt much better in the last two weeks, I can do anything with the ball."
Ribery last played in Bayern's 7-1 drubbing of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in March when he came off with an inflamed ankle.
