Mario Götze will be involved when Borussia Dortmund kick off their pre-season training tomorrow. The 25-year-old World Cup winner, who has spent the last five months on the sidelines, will undergo performance tests with the rest of the squad.

It was in BVB's 1-1 draw with Mainz on 29 January that Götze made his 94th and most recent Bundesliga appearance for Borussia Dortmund. In the period that followed a series of detailed medical examinations revealed the presence of a metabolic disorder, which was causing his muscular problems, meaning the attacking midfielder would need to take several months out to recover.

"I had to complete a sporting and medical rehabilitation programme during those five months. I'm definitely on the right track," Götze told his fans today, before declaring: "You have supported me brilliantly over the course of the last five months. Your messages, notes and recovery wishes both impressed and motivated me. A big thank you goes to Aki Watzke and Michael Zorc. The great trust they placed in me and the assistance they offered me during this period really helped. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my team, my doctor and my fitness trainer, as well as all the doctors and people involved with my recovery!"

Now the 25-year-old, who scored the winning goal against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final, is feeling full of confidence and excitement about the future: "Tomorrow I can start the third phase of my rehabilitation programme. That means completing the performance tests with my BVB team-mates and then starting with training in the coming days. I am very excited to be getting back onto the pitch and to be playing in our football temple again soon." (br)