Edin Terzic welcomed "eight or nine players" onto the pitch at the start of the training week; "yesterday, there were 21". The return of both the internationals and several previously injured players has provided the head coach with numerous options for the top match in Munich on Saturday – and for the no less important games to follow next week.

"Six players who were not in the squad against Cologne could return," according to Terzic. In addition to Emre Can, who had to serve a suspension in the final match before the international break, Gregor Kobel and Julian Brandt are certain to be available. "Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko have been able to step up their programme and have trained fully with us in the last two days. However, both have been out for longer. We'll see whether they're okay for the squad." Jamie Bynoe-Gittens could be the sixth player to return: "He was also back on the pitch yesterday." Complaint-free, as the coach was quick to add.

There is a small question mark hanging over Nico Schlotterbeck, who returned from the Germany camp ahead of schedule due to muscular problems but did manage to participate in training on Thursday. On Schlotterbeck and Bynoe-Gittens, Terzic said: "We'll take another close look at both in the final training session."

He will, however, be without Thomas Meunier (back problems) and Giovanni Reyna (cold), who returned from their international travels with injury and illness respectively. "Thomas had to withdraw from training with us, Gio has been out of it since yesterday." (br)