Bayern Munich's Gotze aiming for January return

Mario Gotze is confident he can overcome a groin injury and help Bayern Munich after the winter break.

The German midfielder ruptured the muscle tendon in his groin during a European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. He's confident he can rejoin teammates in training while the Bundesliga rests from Dec. 21 to Jan. 22.

"The healing process is going very, very well. Everything's going according to plan," Gotze said during an event at the team's museum.

"I hope I'll be fully fit in time for midseason training and can take up the squad programme."

Gotze revealed that he has started to ramp up his training sessions following a several weeks of rest in order to help the muscle heal properly.

A return to the team, however, presents another set of challenges for the 23-year-old. Gotze will need to give manager Pep Guardiola a reason to include him in the starting squad after Bayern Munich's phenomenal start to the season.