Robben has missed Bayern’s last two league matches and was also absent as Holland thumped San Marino 11-0 last week.

The mercurial playmaker had been complaining of groin and back injuries after just two games of the campaign.

Mercurial

Nevertheless, Heynckes will be hoping Robben rediscovers the form that took Bayern to the Champions League final in 2010.

“He’s better. He had almost no complaints,” Heynckes told Bavarian television after Robben did a light training session on Monday.

“It is important that he gets well again, especially with important games coming up in the Champions League.”

Since joining Bayern from Real Madrid in 2009, the former PSV and Chelsea flyer’s time has been punctuated by injuries.

His present contract is due to expire in June 2013 but Bayern’s president, Uli Hoeness, envisages no problems in securing an extension.

“He knows that with the help of the medical department he can play 80 or 90 per cent of our games,” said Hoeness.

“I am sure we will be able to renew the contract.”

Sneijder was strongly linked with a move away from Inter during this summer’s transfer window witb a host of top clubs chasing his signature.

The Dutchman recently admitted there was an approach from Manchester United this summer, but he claims his former Inter coach Mourinho influenced his decision to stay in Italy.

“I am happy to have stayed because I never wanted to leave and so I no longer want to speak about Manchester United.”
Wesley Sneijder on his future

“Mourinho called me and he told me to stay. He has an Inter heart and he has always told me to remain,” Sneijder told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I am happy to have stayed because I never wanted to leave and so I no longer want to speak about Manchester United.”

City link

Carlos Tevez’s agent Kia Joorabchian claimed Man City offered his client as part of a swap deal with Inter for Sneijder.

However, the 27-year-old insists he knows nothing about the possible interest from City.

“Manchester City? I don’t know anything about this. I am happy at Inter,” he said.

“I have a contract until 2015 and I want to respect it.”

The Frenchman, 31, has been a key player for Barca since his arrival from Lyon in 2007 and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy last season after recovering from surgery to remove a liver tumour.

He remains under contract until next summer but talks over an extension have yet to reach a resolution as there is a difference between what Abidal wants and what he is being offered.

While the full-back would like a new two-year deal to keep him at Camp Nou until 2014, Barca only appear to be willing to offer him a contract until 2013 with an option for a further 12 months if Abidal meets an appearance target.

Predict

Fresh reports have also surfaced to suggest that Paris St Germain are interested in signing Abidal on a three-year deal.

Abidal’s agent, David Venditelli, insists that his client will take time to make a decision over his future.

“The player has not rejected Barca’s offer for a new deal,” Venditelli told Catalan radio station Ona FM.

“We want to study the subject with calm and at the end of the year I predict an answer will be given to the club.”

The player himself also dismissed speculation over a move, saying: “I am in talks with Barcelona and every time there is talks other clubs want to show their interest, but Barcelona is my club and I am only talking to them and hopefully we will agree something.”

However, the club have denied the Belgian defender injured his Achilles, which was previously thought.

The 25-year-old, who sustained the injury during the club’s UEFA Champions League play-off win over Udinese, missed eight months of last season with an Achilles problem in his right ankle.

The defender’s absence represents a further blow to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has had to deal with a raft of injuries and suspensions at the start of the season, as well as the high-profile departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.

A statement on Arsenal’s official website read: “Thomas Vermaelen has undergone a minor procedure to remove an inflamed plantaris tendon from his left ankle.

“This is the same treatment that he had on his right ankle in January this year and has nothing to do with his Achilles tendon.

“The action was taken after consultation with specialists who advised this was the best thing to do to prevent it becoming a persistent problem.”