Africa Sports News of Thursday, 12 January 2023

Source: goal.com

Sadio Mane reaches injury recovery milestone with Bayern Munich after missing World Cup

Bayern Munich winger, Sadio Mane Bayern Munich winger, Sadio Mane

Bayern Munich winger Sadio Mane has started running, a major step in his comeback from a right leg injury sustained in early November.

WHAT HAPPENED? Mane picked up a serious injury to his right tibia on November 8, and underwent surgery to fix a tendon shortly after. The original timeline for the Senegalese's return was 10-12 weeks, and he's well on schedule, as the club shared an update of their star man running with reduced weight.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Bayern find themselves shorthanded heading into the new year. They are without key players Mane, Manuel Neuer, Noussair Mazraoui and Lucas Hernandez, with a Champions League knockout stage tie against Paris Saint-Germain set for February 14.

The Bundesliga leaders signed Mane from Liverpool last summer in a deal worth €41 million (£35m/$43m) and hope he can lead them to silverware down the stretch of the 2022-23 campaign.

WHAT NEXT FOR MANE? The Senegalese winger is set to ramp up his recovery over the coming weeks, with a view to returning in time for Bayern Munich's Champions League and Bundesliga push.