Bayern waiting on flu-hit stars for Stuttgart

08 December 2011 12:46

Bayern Munich are hoping several of their flu-struck stars will be able to leave their sick beds on Sunday to play at VfB Stuttgart to try and keep the Bavarian giants top of the German league.

Forwards Mario Gomez and Thomas Mueller are both struggling, with Gomez, the league's top scorer, the greatest concern with a heavy cough, while Dutch winger Arjen Robben and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos are also sick.

Bayern are the Bundesliga's leaders, but only three points separates the top four clubs and Munich need to win at mid-table Stuttgart to stay top.

"The stars are in bed," admitted coach Jupp Heynckes.

"We have to wait and see whether Mario Gomez and Thomas Mueller can play against Stuttgart on Sunday.

"The doctor has some major concerns."

Bayern lost 2-0 at Manchester City on Wednesday, but still qualify for the Champions League's knock-out phase and both Robben and Kroos missed the trip to England with flu.

"Both are taking antibiotics, because they can already see how serious this is," said Heynckes.

Heynckes dismissed any claims he sent a 'B' team to Manchester, which included only four first team players, with Manuel Neuer, captain Philipp Lahm and France star Franck Ribery on the bench.

Heynckes defended his selection in Manchester with an eye on Sunday.

"I gave it a lot of thought before the game," said Heynckes.

"One thing was that a few players were ill, another was that several players have not been used, even when we have won by heavy margins in the league.

"They have kept themselves in top shape and trained hard, that is not always easy to do."

Fringe players like defender Diego Contento and striker Nils Petersen started in Manchester, while veteran goalkeeper Jorg Butt, 37, made a rare Champions League appearance.

"It was perhaps Jorg's last opportunity to play internationally again," said Heynckes, who insisted with seven internationals on the pitch, it was not Bayern's reserve team.

Source: AFP