Manuel Neuer should be fit to represent Germany at the World Cup but is likely to miss Bayern Munich's trip to Barcelona next week, according to Julian Nagelsmann.
Neuer last featured for Bayern in their dramatic 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund on October 8, with a shoulder injury leading Sven Ulreich to take his place between the sticks for their past three games.
The goalkeeper will be absent once again when Bayern visit Hoffenheim on Saturday, and Nagelsmann doubts he will be involved when they bid to eliminate Barca from the Champions League on Wednesday.
However, Nagelsmann has eased fears he could miss out on a trip to Qatar, saying: "Manuel is still in pain. He probably can't play in Barcelona either, we're planning for Mainz [on October 29].
"Issues can certainly happen if he starts too early, and we want to avoid that. We have to wait until the healing process is such that he can play again.
"I don't think the World Cup is in danger. Manuel knows his body best and knows with which pains he can play.
"He trained in the weight room yesterday. It's up and down, day-to-day, but I don't think it will last that long. I'm hoping he'll be back against Mainz."
Bayern have been forced to cope with several selection problems recently, enduring a spate of COVID-19 cases and seeing Leroy Sane sidelined with a muscle injury.
Thomas Muller is the latest player to be ruled out of the trip to Hoffenheim, leading Nagelsmann to highlight the importance of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
"Leroy Sane is known, Thomas Muller is also out, he has gastrointestinal problems," he added. "He's not happy with that, but I think he will be fine before the Champions League game. Other than that, there is nothing new, everyone is fine.
"Kingsley Coman can play again. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting coped well with the games and it's important that he's there after Muller's absence."
Choupo-Moting registered two goal involvements after starting a Bundesliga game for the first time since November 2016 last week, scoring and assisting in a 5-0 win over Freiburg.
Meanwhile, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward has recorded more goal contributions against Hoffenheim (nine – six goals, three assists) than against any other Bundesliga side.
Nagelsmann made his name as a coach during a successful three-year spell with Hoffenheim, leading the club to Champions League qualification at the end of the 2016-17 season, and admits Saturday's match represents a unique occasion.
"It's a special game for me. It's a club close to my heart," he added. "I had many successful years there and met a lot of friends and great colleagues there."
Hoffenheim have taken 17 points from their first 10 Bundesliga matches this season – their best return at this stage of a campaign since Nagelsmann led them in 2016-17 (20).
Real Mallorca 1-5 Barcelona: In-form Raphinha nets two as leaders run riot
Barcelona captain Raphinha scored twice as they won in LaLiga for the first time in a month, crushing Real Mallorca 5-1 at the Estadi Son Moix.
Hansi Flick's league leaders – who were without a victory in three matches in the competition – netted four times in a dominant second-half performance as they extended their advantage over Real Madrid to four points.
A comical mix-up between Martin Valjent and Johan Majica allowed Ferran Torres to give Barca a 12th-minute lead, though the hosts levelled when Vedat Muriqi tapped home to cap a lightning counterattack on the stroke of half-time.
However, that equaliser only served to anger Barca and they pulled clear after the interval.
Raphinha restored their lead from the penalty spot in the 56th minute after the excellent Lamine Yamal was fouled, with the teenager then curling in a wonderful 74th-minute cross to tee up his captain's second goal.
Substitutes Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor added to the goalfest with late strikes from inside the box to wrap up an easy win for the Blaugrana, who have played two games more than second-placed Madrid.
Data Debrief: Raphinha into double figures as Barca cruise
In Robert Lewandowski (15) and Raphinha (10), Barcelona are the only team to have two players in double figures for goals in one of Europe's top five leagues this season.
Things could hardly have been more comfortable for the Blaugrana, who created a huge total of 4.93 expected goals (xG), the highest figure by any team in a single match in LaLiga this campaign.
'I'm still trying to crack the code' - Dyche working 'tirelessly' to address Everton form
Sean Dyche says he is working "tirelessly" to "crack the code" as he aims to turn Everton's fortunes around.
The Toffees sit just two points above the Premier League relegation zone, having only won two matches this season and gone five without victory.
Everton have also failed to score in their four most recent outings, and will be desperate to put things right against fellow strugglers Wolves on Wednesday.
And Dyche, whose contract expires at the end of this term, says he is working harder than he ever has before during his 13-year managerial career to get his side back on track.
"Sometimes me, my staff and the players haven't delivered as well as we could do," he said.
"But we work tirelessly. This is the most work I've done in all my years in management, at this club, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I'm more than ready for the challenge. It could be easier because, for sure, I've made errors this season, the team has made errors, they are there for all to see.
"It's a fact of life as a manager, you have to get the margins right, and we haven't done so far this season. You've got to win games, and we haven't won enough games.
"We've got ourselves in a position where we feel we should be doing better - myself included - and now it is about taking on the challenge. I'm still trying to crack the code, as others have done before me."
Defending champions All Saints United beat Garden Stars 3-1 in early top of the table clash in ABFA Premier League
Saturday’s triple header in the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier League provided fans with an entertaining day of football with a total of 13 goals produced in the three games at the ABFA Technical Center.
The evening’s featured game saw defending champions All Saints United FC have to come from behind to hand Garden Stars their first defeat of the season with a 3-1 victory.
National striker Raheem Deterville gave All Saints an early lead in the 8th minute before Karique Knight equalised for Garden Stars eight minutes later.
Vashami Allen restored United’s lead in the 21st minute before Deterville secured his brace and the victory with a goal five minutes from full time.
With the win, All Saints United moved to the top of the table with 16 points from six games, the same amount of points as Aston Villa and Garden Stars who trail on goal difference by one and nine, respectively.
Green City FC emerged victorious in a five-goal thriller against Greenbay Hoppers FC, winning 3-2.
Kamali Looby gave Hoppers the lead in the 33rd minute before Carllon Warner equalised for Green City just before halftime.
However, six minutes into the second half, Kadeem Campbell restored Hoppers’ lead.
Green City did not fold, however, equalizing through Amali Colbourne in the 61st minuteto put the game back into a deadlock.
The Green City persistence paid off in the end as Elijah Whyte converted a 68th minute penalty to secure the three points.
The third matchup saw Pigotts Bullets SC pepper John Hughes FC, securing a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
An unfortunate own goal from Jamoy Stevens (33′) opened the scoring, followed by Akeem Isaac’s penalty three minutes later.
Goals from Xavier Smith (42′) and Tyrique Thwaites (45+2′ penalty) completed the rout before halftime as the victors continued their impressive season.
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