Bayern Munich centre-back Medhi Benatia has returned to team training after missing most of the club's winter training camp in Qatar with a back injury.
Benatia, 27, joined the Bundesliga champions from Roma ahead of the current season. Following a settling-in period, he has become an important player, featuring in every Champions League match until his red card in the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City in November.
The Morocco captain had been looking forward to the Qatar trip, but because of back problems he was limited mostly to individual training. On Wednesday, however, Benatia returned to train alongside his Bayern teammates.
"Seeing the group training and not being able to join in hasn't been easy but now I am delighted to be back," the defender told the club's official website.
But with Dante working hard in training during Benatia's absence, the former Roma man may struggle to win a place in Bayern's starting lineup for the Bundesliga clash at Wolfsburg on Jan. 30.
Meanwhile, the Bavarian club's injury situation has further improved over the past few weeks. Holger Badstuber and David Alaba have returned, Philipp Lahm has started his rehabilitation training, and Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara are also working on their comebacks.