Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed star winger Franck Ribery will miss the clash against surprise Bundesliga leaders Paderborn on Tuesday, but there could be a return for Arjen Robben.
"I think that Franck will not be ready tomorrow (Tuesday) and I don't know when he will be back," Guardiola revealed at the pre-match press conference, adding that Robben was a "maybe" for the top-of-the-table fixture.
The 31-year-old Ribery, who surprisingly announced his international retirement from French duty last month, has played just 23 minutes this season as he continues to struggle with a knee injury.
Robben meanwhile is almost fully fit after shaking off his own knee problem but Guardiola bemoaned the fact that his star-studded squad has been ravished by injuries due to fatigue.
"We ask too much from the players and the big clubs lose points at the beginning of the season because the players are tired, they need time," explained the former Barcelona coach in the aftermath of the World Cup.
Paderborn lead the German top flight on goal difference ahead of Mainz, Hoffenheim and Bayern.
Guardiola's team were held to a 0-0 draw at second-from-bottom Hamburg on Saturday.
Source: AFP
