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Three Bayern stars set to return from injury

February 19, 2016

After battling lengthy injuries, Franck Ribery, Mario Götze, and Medhi Benatia have been named to Bayern Munich's squad for the match against Darmstadt.

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Mario Götze
Image: A. Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

Three players out injured since 2015 could be set to return to the fold, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola told a press conference on Friday. Franck Ribery, Mario Götze, and Medhi Benatia have been named in the squad for Saturday's home encounter.

"They are ready, they are fit, but I don't know for how many minutes," said Guardiola.

Both Ribery and Benatia have been unavailable since December and Götze has been out since October after suffering an injury during EURO 2016 qualification. Serdar Tasci, who was picked up on loan from Spartak Moscow at the January transfer window, could play a part after making the bench last week against Augsburg.

Opponents Darmstadt are enjoying a relatively strong season following their promotion from Germany's second tier, and currently sit four points above the relegation playoff-spot. Guardiola warned the match Saturday would be a difficult encounter.

"This is a special team, they defend very deeply," Guardiola said of Darmstadt. "They are one of the best teams at set pieces, they live for these moments."

kd/dr (dpa, Reuters)