Bayern Munich have been significantly boosted by the return of Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller and Benjamin Pavard to first-team action ahead of Saturday's Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund.
Gnabry had not featured since tearing his hamstring in the 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin on February 5, but came off the bench to score twice in last weekend's 5-1 win against FC Koln.
Muller, meanwhile, tested positive for COVID-19 while the club was in Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup last month, but he also made an instant impact on his return to action by setting up Robert Lewandowski within a minute of being subbed on by Hansi Flick against Koln.
Pavard was the other victim of coronavirus in Bayern's squad, but the France full-back has returned to first-team training and provides a welcome option in defence for Flick as the 56-year-old maps out a method to combat the threat of Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland and Jadon Sancho, should the England winger be fit to start.
However, Niklas Sule has deputised admirably at right-back in recent weeks and may have loyalty shown to him, especially with Pavard likely to take time to return to full speed.
Given their impact against Koln, though, Gnabry and Muller are unlikely to be afforded the same luxury, with Jamal Musiala and Eric Choupo-Moting potentially making way for the pair from Bayern's first XI in their most recent victory.
Jerome Boateng and David Alaba should continue at the heart of the Bavarians' defence despite the pair's lack of communication allowing Ellyes Skhiri to pull a goal back for Koln at the beginning of the second half last time out, with Manuel Neuer visibly enraged by his defence making yet another basic error.
Bayern possible starting lineup: Neuer; Sule, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Gnabry; Lewandowski
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Brett Curtis
