Sadio Mane Returns To Training With Bayern Munich After Long Injury Layoff

Sadio Mane Injury: The 30-year-old described his return to practice for Munich as a "fantastic" experience

Mane had to miss out on the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar due to his injury. ( Image Source :Twitter/@FCBayernEN )

Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane finally returned to training after a long injury layoff. Mane had sustained an injury three months ago that saw him missing the FIFA World Cup in Qatar for Senegal. With him set to be available for the Munich matches lined up ahead, the Bundesliga champions will be handed huge boost prior to their high-voltage encounter against Union Berlin on Sunday.

The 30-year-old described his return to practice as a "fantastic" experience. It is pertinent to note that Mane would be needed in the much-anticipated clash against Union Berlin who are in with a chance to take a 2-point lead over Munich, if they manage to get past Schalke who are right at the bottom of the points table.

However, Bayern have themselves to blame too for letting Berlin in with a chance to take that advantage as they faced a 2-3 defeat against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.

Mane had injured his right leg in November and had to undergo an operation and rehabilitation before he could step on to the pitch for practice. He was cheerful when resuming training after spending time away from the game.

“To have this feeling again is just fantastic," he said.

Sadio's back 😍

📽️ https://t.co/QYIUroWzmU#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/CISDOq3NNF

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) February 19, 2023

Earlier, Bayern's boss Julian Nagelsmann had already indicated that if the Mane have a week-long training, then he would definitely be named in the squad for the Berlin fixture. The ex-Liverpool star starting his training on Sunday means he has precisely a week to get back into rhythm and prove he can play a role in the match.

Mane isn't the only player Munich could be strengthened with the return of before the crucial fixture. Noussair Mazraoui is also likely to join the team on Wednesday after staying weeks out post a medical examination had disclosed a heart issue. But it is not yet known whether the Morocco player will be named in the squad with only three-four days of training.