Bayern Munich and Germany captain Manuel Neuer is stepping up his comeback bid by rehabilitating a broken foot in Thailand.
Neuer has broken his left foot three times in the past 12 months and has made only three Bundesliga appearances this season. Following the latest fracture and operation in September, Bayern's first-choice goalkeeper said his recovery could take at least six months.
The 31-year-old, who posted a photograph of himself in Phuket, Thailand, earlier this week, will be there with his wife, Nina, until Feb. 18. His recovery follows Bayern's trend of allowing injured players to continue their recovery in warmer locations.
Fellow 2014 World Cup winner Jerome Boateng has recovered from injury in Dubai, while Spain midfielder Thiago carried out the majority of his rehab work from a thigh muscle injury in Barcelona.
In Neuer's absence, backup goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has been deputising and signed a new contract on Sunday, committing him to the German champions until 2021.
"He is a great goalkeeper and now he has the chance to confirm it," Neuer said last month. "He is doing an outstanding job for Bayern and for the team."