Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany hopes Harry Kane will be fit to play at home against RB Leipzig on Friday night in their final match of 2024.
The England captain sustained a small muscle fibre tear in his right thigh during last month’s 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund and was not expected to play again until 2025.
But the 31-year-old returned to partial team training on Monday, and Kompany, who hinted last week that Kane could return early, revealed he may be given the all-clear after his latest session.
“Maybe I wouldn’t say if it will start or not,” Kompany said. “The last consultation on education is vital today. If all goes well, tomorrow will play a role.
Kane is not the only injured Bayern player on the comeback trail.
Kompany said: “If things go as well on Friday as yesterday in education, then we are in good shape. It was smart to have some players back in education: Alphonso Davies (and) Harry Kane were there, as well as Josip Stanisic, they may not appear in this match. It was a smart week for us because we train a lot on the pitch.
The former Burnley boss admitted the absence of Kane – who this season has scored 19 goals and added six assists across Bundesliga and Champions League competitions – forces him to think differently.
“We’ve said in the past that we can’t update Harry Kane in the same way,” Kompany said.
“Harry has this incredible sense of where he needs to be in the box. He’s also helped us a lot in defence. He’s one of the best in the world in the box – that’s where he makes the difference. There aren’t many players who can do that.”
Bayern are looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat in Mainz, while Leipzig (fourth in the table and six clear of their rivals) will be eager to gain ground at the top of the Bundesliga.
Kompany added: “Leipzig’s individual and collective quality is right up there in the Bundesliga.
“The intensity in games like the ones against Stuttgart or Leverkusen was always very high and I expect the same tomorrow. They have players who are difference makers, but so do we.
“What we need to do is very transparent to me. We are playing at home and we are going to win.
Leipzig hope to close out the year on a high after defeating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on Sunday.
Leipzig manager Marco Rose was quick to point out the effect of a healthy Kane on Bayern’s side, with the former Tottenham striker scoring a league-leading 14 goals and providing five assists in the Bundesliga this season.
Rose said: “That’s what Kane offers you. He is there at the right times.
“Vincent Kompany has Bayern playing with real power and force. They are incisive with the ball and have immense individual quality. They can dominate opponents when they’re in possession.
“You see it right away when Kane is gone. When he returns, it may not take long for him to re-adapt, which is the mark of a world-class striker.
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