Germany Coach Joachim Low Hopeful Manuel Neuer Will Be Fit for the World Cup

Germany manager Joachim Low believes his first-choice goalkeeper, Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer, will recover from injury in time to play in the World Cup this summer, per Joe Strange for MailOnline. 

Neuer has not played any football since his foot surgery in September but is nearing a return to first-team action, declaring recently he is "pretty confident" of playing this season, per Sky Sport Bundesliga (via bundesliga.com).

But the goalkeeper is not in the Germany squad for the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Brazil, and he is still attempting to regain fitness. Low, however, believes the 31-year-old will be back in time for Russia.

"If a player plays no role in the preparation, it is difficult to nominate him," Low said. "Manuel is absolutely on schedule. It is planned that he will still play at Bayern this season. The doctor has assured me that the condition of his scar and the growing together of the bones are absolutely fine and look very good."

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

In Neuer's absence Germany will be relying on either Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Kevin Trapp or Barcelona No. 1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who played one game each during Germany's most recent friendlies against England and France.

"I assume and am very optimistic that Manuel will be present at the World Cup," Low said.

Bayern have not faltered this season without Neuer. They are leading the Bundesliga by 17 points with seven matches remaining. However, they have already conceded 20 league goals with Sven Ulreich in goal, two short of their entire total for the 2016-17 campaign.

Fans of both Bayern and Germany will be pleased that Neuer is closing in on his return from injury. With his club in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and his country among the favourites to lift the World Cup, Neuer's disappointing year could yet turn out to be a spectacular success.