Bayern's Thiago back on ball after four months

Thiago Alcantara edged closer to a Bayern Munich comeback on Tuesday after starting individual training with a football for the first time in four months. The 23-year-old last trained in October before he injured ligaments in his right knee, needing another operation on the same ligaments he damaged last March. The Spain star missed the World Cup in Brazil due to an injury-ravaged 2014 and he last played for Bayern last March in a 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. "Getting used to the ball again was on the programme for today," said the club in a statement. "It is the next small step on his way to a comeback." Alongside Thiago, Bayern are waiting on the return to fitness of several stars, including Javi Martinez and captain Philipp Lahm, who trained alongside Alcantara on Tuesday. Thiago only returned to running training last Thursday and Bayern coach Pep Guardiola is confident Thiago could be back in team training in a matter of weeks. "Perhaps he can train with us again in two or three weeks," said Guardiola last Friday. "Then we have to see how his knee reacts. The doctor and Thiago are optimistic, therefore so am I." With an eight-point lead at the top of the table, Bayern are on course for a third straight German league title and visit Cologne on Friday.