Bayern Munich offer promising injury update on Harry Kane ahead of Der Klassiker after striker returns early from England duty

The England captain had joined up with Gareth Southgate's latest squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium despite injuring himself in Bayern's 5-2 thrashing of Darmstadt earlier this month. The Three Lions boss was unable to select Kane ahead of a 1-0 loss to the Selecao and he confirmed after that match that Kane would be returning to Munich for treatment. On Monday, a few days on from his withdrawal, the Bundesliga giants provided an update on the striker's fitness.

In a statement on the club's official website, the update read as follows: "Harry Kane completed an individual training session at FC Bayern’s training ground on Monday morning. The 30-year-old striker worked with the ball on the pitch at Sabener Strase alongside fitness coach Holger Broich. Kane had suffered an ankle injury in the 5-2 win over Darmstadt in the Bundesliga and returned back to Munich from the England national team camp at the weekend."

In that clash against Darmstadt Kane collided with the post and landed awkwardly, limping off before full-time and leading to doubts over his long-term fitness. But his withdrawal from the England set-up before a return to the grass - albeit at an individual capacity - will be a huge boost to head coach Thomas Tuchel. Bayern have relied heavily on Kane's 31 league goals this term and come up against rivals Borussia Dortmund in their next match on Saturday.

England certainly looked toothless in their captain's absence during defeat to Brazil, although as a friendly those stakes were a lot lower than the position Bayern currently find themselves in. Still 10 points off league leaders Bayer Leverkusen with eight matches to go, a slip-up to fourth-placed Dortmund on Saturday will all-but hand the Bundesliga title to Xabi Alonso's men.