Gotze on track for crunch Bayern clash

Posted Tuesday, March 27, 2012 by ESPN

Star Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze could return for next month's potential title showdown with Bayern Munich after returning to training on Monday.

The 19-year-old, who has already been capped 12 times by Germany, has been sidelined for two months due to a stress fracture of the pubic bone.

He returned to training with the Bundesliga leaders for the first time on Monday and a return against closest rivals Bayern, on April 11, has been pencilled in as a possibility.

Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp will take a cautious approach to one of his key men, but hopes to be able to call on Gotze for some part of the run-in.

"We still have to keep an eye on the way Mario's body reacts to stress on a day-by-day basis," Klopp was reported as saying on Bild's website.

"At the end of this week we would like to have a more accurate picture.

"Before he can take any part he would need at least 10-14 days of full training.

"It is my hope that Mario is available for the last five or six games which will help even more."

Gotze has made 14 Bundesliga appearances this season scoring five goals.