Daily Times

Harry Kane is set to return to the Bayern Munich group before the Bundesliga leader’s host RB Leipzig on Friday knowing anything but a win could mean they have little to show for a strong start under new coach Vincent Kompany.

Bayern fell to their first league loss of the season 2-1 at Mainz last weekend and are now just four points clear of defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Kane’s return is good news for Munich, who have missed the England captain’s creativity and goals. He had 20 goals and nine assists in 19 games in all competitions before tearing his hamstring in November. “I’m not going to say whether he will start the match or not, the last training session (Thursday) is important,” said Kompany.

“But if everything goes well, he will definitely have a role to play tomorrow (Friday).

“Harry has this science of positioning close to the penalty area. He also helped us a lot in defensive work. He’s one of the best in the world in the box — that’s where he makes the difference. There aren’t many players who can do that.”

Jamal Musiala has stepped up in Kane’s absence, with four goals and an assist in all competitions, but the 21-year-old cannot be expected to shoulder the load alone.

“It’s always tough,” Musiala said of Leipzig, adding “we’ve had finals against them before and it’s definitely a big game — we lost against them last season.” Musiala’s 13 goals and five assists in all competitions ranks just behind Kane, showing how important the Germany-born, England-raised midfielder is for Bayern.

Musiala, who switched international allegiances from England to Germany just after moving to Bayern, credits Kompany for helping him “go up a level this season”.

Struggling to kick their title hangover early in the season, Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen have hit form, with seven straight wins in all competitions including knocking Bayern out of the German Cup last 16 in Munich. A win will ensure a four-point buffer during the winter break. But Leipzig, who sit six points behind Bayern in fourth, have had the advantage over the German giants lately.