Bayern Munich top scorer Harry Kane has returned to training but will not feature in Saturday's Bundesliga match against Mainz, Vincent Kompany confirmed.
Kane has missed the last three games for Bayern in all competitions after suffering a thigh injury in the draw against Borussia Dortmund last month.
The England captain has 19 goals (13 goals, seven assists) in the Bundesliga this season, a total surpassed only by Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush (20).
Bayern were in action on Saturday after a 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, which lifted the team to 10th in the Champions League rankings.
And Kompany said his entire team that was at the Veltins-Arena on Tuesday will be available for this weekend's match.
“Harry Kane will not return against Mainz, nor will the other injured players. The boys who played against Shakhtar Donetsk are available,” Kompany told reporters on Friday.
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“We got through the week quite well. Harry Kane will not return against Mainz, and neither will the other injured players. The boys who played against Shakhtar Donetsk are available.” #FCBayern #UCL #M05FCB pic.twitter.com/0TBWSEinTK
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) December 13, 2024
Bayern also has to do without Joao Palhinha, Alphonso Davies, Serge Gnabry and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer now that the winter break is approaching.
“Looking at the injury history of a team is important. Our role is to minimize this,” said Kompany.
“So far we have been successful, but I am not surprised that there is a point where there are multiple injuries.
“At the moment I am very happy that we have a winter break because there will be no summer break. It is important to have a certain number of days to recover, not only physically but also mentally.”
Bayern start the weekend six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and will be confident of extending their lead at the top after Kompany's good start to the season.
Kompany has not lost any of his first thirteen Bundesliga games as coach (W10, D3), a feat previously achieved only by Pep Guardiola and Karl-Heinz Feldkamp.
Only Guardiola (35) has collected more points from his first thirteen games as a coach in the German top flight than the Belgian (33).
Bayern have already beaten this weekend's opponents 4-0 in a DFB-Pokal tie in October, but Mainz have won three of their last four Bundesliga matches.
Mainz have also won their last three home games in the Bundesliga against the side at the top of the Bundesliga table, with all three wins coming against Bayern.
In the entire division, only Borussia Mönchengladbach is currently on a longer winning streak at home against the leader (four games).
“We have a lot of respect for the opponent and know that there are no easy games. We have to perform, but we always have confidence in the team,” Kompany added.
𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛: Back in Bundesliga action.
On Saturday we go to 1. FSV Mainz 05! #M05FCB #FCBayern #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/ijb3KsdBot
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) December 11, 2024
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