Gotze eyes first match return
7 August 2012 17:32
Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Mario Gotze is hoping to return for the Bundesliga opener against Werder Bremen.
The 20-year-old has missed much of his side's pre-season preparations with a troublesome eye infection, but is likely to start training in the next few days.
The Germany international missed much of last season with a string of niggling injury problems, and although he is working against the clock, Gotze is confident he will be fit for the Signal Iduna Park clash on August 24.
"Improvement is in sight", he told de Ruhrnachrichten.
"There will be no problem (making the Bremen game)."
Klopp will be further buoyed by the news that veteran full-back Patrick Owomoyela is also back on the training pitch.
The 32-year-old right-back has been sidelined for three months with a calf injury, but is now on the comeback trail and determined to make what's left of his pre-season count.
"(My recovery) is on schedule," he said, "but a game is something other than training."
Borussia Dortmund begin competitive action with the DFL Superpokal against Bayern Munich on Sunday, before a DFB-Pokal first round match against Oberneuland on August 18.
