Robert Lewandowski has declared his ambition to hunt down Gerd Müller‘s long-standing Bundesliga scoring record with the Bayern Munich superstar set to return to action in the potential title-clinching game at Mainz on Saturday.
Lewandowski has netted 35 goals in just 25 top-flight appearances in Germany this term.
But the striker was ruled out for a month after damaging knee ligaments while on international duty with Poland in March.
After undergoing an individual training programme to aid his recovery, the super-fit 32-year-old took part in Wednesday morning’s training session with the rest of the squad.
He now has the opportunity to make individual Bundesliga history with four games remaining as he closes in on Bayern icon, Müller’s single-season goal scoring record of 40 set back in 1971/72.
“I don’t know if I will do it yet,” said the former Borussia Dortmund man.
“But I hope that when I’m back on the pitch, I can be at my usual level from the first minute, immediately play my best football and score goals.”
Victory in the Match-day 31 fixture will give Bayern a ninth successive domestic crown.
And Flick looks likely to be able to call upon the division’s runaway top scorer for the first time in five league outings to help the Bavarian giants achieve that.
“He’s had a good training session [on Wednesday].
“We’re happy that he’s back early and he is absolutely an option for Saturday,” said Flick who saw his side beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 on Tuesday to move to within touching distance of the Meisterschale.
“I told the team before the game that we could make a big step towards our goal which we did.
“Now, we have a game in Mainz on Saturday, we want to win it if possible, then you can congratulate us.”