Bayern Munich are sweating over the fitness of midfielder Joshua Kimmich ahead of Wednesday's Champions League group-stage opener against Manchester United at the Allianz Arena.
Kimmich started for the Bundesliga giants in last Friday's 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen despite emerging as a doubt before the match, but he was forced off midway through the second half with an "inflamed tendon".
Head coach Thomas Tuchel said after the game that he was advised by the club's medical team to only play Kimmich for an hour, but he has since revealed that the Germany international could recover in time to feature against Man United.
Meanwhile, Kingsley Coman is in contention to play after recovering from a minor muscle issue that forced him to miss the draw with Leverkusen, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has suffered a setback in his recovery from a broken right leg after sustaining a new injury to his left calf in light training, and the 37-year-old will therefore miss Wednesday's match along with Raphael Guerreiro (calf) and Tarek Buchmann (hamstring).
Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt briefly operated as defensive midfielders against Leverkusen following Kimmich's departure, but Tuchel will most likely hand either Kimmich, if fit, or Konrad Laimer – who began at right-back against Leverkusen – a start in the middle of the pitch alongside Leon Goretzka.
Mazraoui could therefore start in his natural right-back position, joining Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae and Alphonso Davies in the back four, with Sven Ulreich set to retain his place between the sticks.
Jamal Musiala recovered from hamstring and back muscle injuries to feature as a second-half substitute last time out, and the 20-year-old attacking midfielder will be hoping to force his way back into the starting lineup on Wednesday at the expense of 34-year-old Thomas Muller.
Summer signing and England captain Harry Kane has scored four goals in as many Bundesliga games since joining Bayern, and the former Tottenham Hotspur striker will be hoping to continue his bright start in front of goal on Wednesday, with Serge Gnabry and former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane expected to join him in attack.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup: Ulreich; Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Laimer, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
> Click here to see how Manchester United could line up for this contest
Oliver Thomas
