Feature: Injured Neuer on risky quest for World Cup

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Small steps currently play a prominent role in the life of German international and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is still struggling on his long road back to action after breaking his foot five months ago.

While it is still uncertain when the 31-year-old will be able to return to full training and attend his team's games, only rare pictures give hints about Neuer's progress and strategy: his first day without the pair of crutches or the first photo of his recovery training in the club's headquarters-- these are the only glimpses that the public has been allowed to see.

Occasionally Neuer's management provides his statements, calming down all those who fear that the goalkeeper could lose the race for an in-time-return to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the crucial stage of the season when decisions about the titles are made.

Everybody understands that the career of the country's best goalkeeper has come to a critical point. It is the third time for Neuer's foot to break- one more time could lead to an early end of his career and endanger Germany's hopes to win the 2018 World Cup.

Former German international Michael Ballack said Germany's chances will decrease without Neuer. Germany former goalkeeper and Real Madrid professional Bodo Illgner is expecting a tight race "as such a long break is a difficult thing for a goalkeeper. As a goalie, you need matches and a rhythm."

Illgner said that two to three months of intense training are necessary for a player recover fully.

In 2014 in Brazil, Neuer was a vital factor for Germany to win the World Cup. "Germany has good keepers. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is doing great with Barcelona, but Neuer is a special keeper, the world's best, and its a painful loss for the German team when he is not around," Ballack commented.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes is convinced that Neuer is doing fine and will be given all time needed to secure a safe landing. To prevent speculations growing and causing increasing pressure on the patient, the Bavarian club decided to avoid any disturbing in-between news.

"I am sure he will be back soon and that he will make it to the World Cup," Heynckes stressed, not mentioning that he might need Neuer's skills too to win the 2017/2018 Champions League. Neuer's replacement, Seven Ulreich, is doing a great job.

Until then, Neuer and Bayern are putting out all stops to support the goalkeeper's safe recovery. Neuer last Sunday returned from a ten-day-long recovery trip to Thailand with his wife Nina, after going through a special training program.

"I told him it would be good for his mind to experience a different environment for a while," Heynckes said.

To always only see the teammates practicing on the training pitch while working inside is frustrating, the 2013 treble winner said.

Like Heynckes, German national coach Joachim Loew and goalkeeper coach Andreas Koepke are optimistic that Neuer will return in time and get back to playing at a high level. "He is doing fine and will return to training shortly," Loew said after a recent visit to Munich.

Neuer says that the most important thing is "to make no mistakes. A new injury wouldn't be helpful." The Bayern keeper says he will take all the time needed to recover, no matter how long it takes. "Things have to get back to 100 percent first," Neuer emphasized.

It is worth pointing out that geting over an injury in advance of a major tournament is nothing new for him. In 2014, the Gelsenkirchen-born professional was sidelined until shortly before the World Cup due to a shoulder injury.

While Loew is continually expressing optimism, holding that "a goalkeeper does not need as long to return as a field player," German fans are desperately waiting for more good news and photos entertaining their hopes for a quick return of the country's best keeper. Enditem