Holger Badstuber is set to return to full training for Bayern Munich five months after tearing a muscle in his thigh.
The 26-year-old, who has had an injury-blighted career, was stepping up his latest recovery on Tuesday with an intense training session at the club's Sabener Strasse training ground, where most of Pep Guardiola's first-team squad were still absent due to internationals.
Badstuber missed almost two years due to a complicated cruciate ligament injury in 2012 and missed a further three and a half months due to a torn tendon at the start of last season before sustaining his latest injury in April.
Arjen Robben and Jan Kirchhoff were also put through their paces on Tuesday as they too near comebacks.
Whether Badstuber, who is rated highly by Guardiola, will be in contention for a return at the Bundesliga restart next weekend remains unlikely, but the latest lengthy spell on the sidelines is at least nearing its conclusion.
Kingsley Coman could be fit for Saturday's trip to Bremen, on the other hand, with the Frenchman suffering from a thigh strain.
Tests allayed fears that the 19-year-old may need a lengthier break after suffering the injury while training during the international break.