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Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies has provided an update on his recovery from an ACL tear, as he closes in on a return to action following seven months on the sidelines.
Davies, 24, has been absent for both club and country since tearing the ACL in his right knee during a 2-1 victory over the USA while on international duty with Canada in March.
The left-back also sustained cartilage damage and underwent surgery, which kept him out of both the end of last season and the start of the current campaign.
Bayern have been coping well in Davies' absence, winning all of their first six Bundesliga matches this term, which puts them four points clear at the top of the league, while they also have two wins from two in the Champions League.
Konrad Laimer has been deputising on the left-hand side of defence for Davies, not putting a foot wrong, but it seems he may soon need to step aside based on comments from the Canadian.
'The hardest part of rehab is now over for me,' Davies told FC Bayern TV. 'I'm looking forward to rejoining the team and playing the sport I love.'
Alphonso Davies has hinted that he is closing in on a return from injury after seven months out
Davies has not played for Bayern Munich since tearing his ACL on international duty in March
The full-back is yet to return to full training with his Bayern team-mates, but he has suggested that individual sessions have him in a good place to soon return to the pitch.
He continued: 'I’m running and training well. I just need to put a bit more muscle mass on my right leg.
'When the doctors told me after the injury how long it might take, I thought, "Oh wow, this is going to be a long journey".
'The process is more difficult mentally than physically. Not knowing how long you'll be out and whether you'll be able to do certain things—that's tough.'
'Sometimes the body says, 'I don't want to do this anymore.' Then you have to be mentally strong.'
Davies has a history of injury problems, missing 48 games for club and country over the past three years.
His experience of having to overcome a series of setbacks over the years has been helpful during his rehabilitation, and Davies wants to ensure he continues to recover at his own pace.
'It's no use letting myself get down, complaining, or feeling sorry for myself. Injuries like these are part of the sport,' he added.
'The only thing I can do now is fight my way back — not as quickly, but as safely as possible.'
