Robben: I miss Ribery

The Dutch winger understands his Bayern counterpart's struggle with injury and hopes he completes his return to first-team action soon

Arjen Robben is eagerly anticipating Franck Ribery's return to action for Bayern Munich, stating he is eager to rekindle his partnership with the French winger on the pitch.

Ribery featured sporadically for the Bavarian side last season due to injury and has been kept out of action since March with persistent ankle injuries as his club bowed out of the Champions League and DFB-Pokal semi-finals.

However, the club have confirmed the 32-year-old is on the mend and expected to return to action in September, with Robben stating his old partner-in-crime can give Bayern a big hand this term.

"It is a difficult moment for him, especially mentally," Robben, who has endured his share of injuries throughout his career, told reporters after the Bundesliga champions' 5-0 trashing of Hamburg on Friday.

"We support him, we hope that he will soon be able to play again. I miss him already, and our time together on the pitch. It was either him, or I, who was injured in the past. For a long time we could not play together.

"Our partnership has to come back."

Summer arrival Douglas Costa has been shining in Ribery's absence, with the Brazilian assisting twice and getting his name on the scoresheet in Friday's rout of Hamburg.