Franck Ribery could soon return for the first time since March.

Ribery's rehab progress from an ankle injury has been slower than expected.

“It is now mid-September and I think that will be the case, that during 2015 he will be whirling again,” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

“What was important is to have the right diagnosis and treatment. I am not that pessimistic and I think in the not too distant future he will come back. That of course does not mean this week or next week,” Rummenigge said. “But he will come back. I am fully convinced of that and that is the key thing.”