Bayern hope Schweinsteiger back before Christmas

Bayern Munich hope that midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will make his comeback from injury before the December 18 date that marks the winter Bundesliga break.

The 27-year-old had a plate inserted in his right shoulder after breaking his collarbone following a heavy fall in the 3-2 Champions League win over Napoli on November 2.

"We really hope that Bastian can play again before Christmas," sporting director Christian Nerlinger told German daily Bild.

Bayern, who moved atop the Bundesliga on the weekend after their 4-1 victory over Werder Bremen, wrap up their group phase of the Champions League with an away tie against Manchester City on Wednesday.

League action sees the Bavarian club travel to Stuttgart on Sunday before hosting Cologne on December 18. Their last match of the calendar year comes two days later in a German Cup quarter-final against Bochum.