AFP, BERLIN: Arjen Robben is backing his Bayern Munich team-mate Franck Ribery to bounce back from the problematic ankle injury which has kept the France winger out for the last five months.
Ribery, 32, has not played since limping out of Bayern's Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk in March and his right ankle injury has so far refused to heal, which has left the Frenchman frustrated.
More so since new signing Brazil international Douglas Costa, 24, shone in Ribery's place on Bayern's left wing and claimed a goal in last Friday's 5-0 win over Hamburg on the opening weekend of the new season.
"It's a really hard time for Franck, but I believe at the end of it, he will come back and that's the point now," said Netherlands star Robben ahead of Saturday's league clash at Hoffenheim.