Thiago edging closer to Bayern comeback
Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara is expected to resume squad training next week and could still feature this calendar year.

Thiago Alcantara is hopeful of making his Bayern Munich comeback before the mid-season break.
The midfielder picked up a knee injury while away on international duty with Spain back in November and Bayern initially feared he would be unavailable for at least the remainder of the calendar year.
A series of tests revealed Thiago would be out of action for an estimated four weeks, and the 24-year-old is now set to resume squad training.
"I am feeling very well," he told reporters.
"My recovery is going perfect. I hope to be able to resume squad training next week."
Thiago has missed the Bundesliga games against Schalke and Hertha Berlin due to his knee problem, as well as the Champions League victory over Olympiacos.
He will not be part of the squad for this weekend's match against Borussia Monchengladbach, but could make his comeback in either the Champions League trip to Dinamo Zagreb or the Bundesliga match at home against Ingolstadt on December 12.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.

‘Newcastle’s board said I was over the hill, so I left and played 108 consecutive games and won the European Cup – not a bad way to answer that accusation!’: Ex-Magpies defender reflects on career highlight after proving former side wrong

‘Parma viewed him as the perfect replacement for Adrian Mutu, who’d left to sign for Chelsea. But Manchester United’s interest was much more concrete’: Cristiano Ronaldo's 2003 transfer details revealed by former Sporting director of football