Bayern's Gotze suffers elbow injury on return

Berlin - Bayern Munich's World Cup winner Mario Gotze suffered an elbow injury on his return after five months out, but still hopes to face Juventus in Wednesday's key Champions League clash.

The 23-year-old started his first match since October in Bayern's 5-0 Bundesliga romp against relegation-threatened Werder Bremen on Saturday, playing the first 54 minutes on his return after being sidelined by a groin strain.

But the attacking midfielder suffered a painful elbow injury in the build-up to Bayern's first goal by Thiago Alcantara after only nine minutes.

He spent most of the second half icing the joint on Bayern's bench at Munich's Allianz Arena.

Gotze now hopes to be fit for Wednesday's Champions League, last 16, second leg clash, at home to Juventus after the first leg in Turin finished with a 2-2 draw.

"It happened in the build-up when Thiago (Alcantara) scored the opening goal," said Gotze, who scored Germany's winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final.

"It was quite bizarre, I felt something in my elbow and it quickly swelled up.

"It was a bit painful, we'll have to see what it is, but I don't think it's anything serious.

"I'm just glad to be back, I had a very, very serious injury and that was my first game.

"I still have to find my rhythm, but of course everyone wants to play in the big games," he added four days before Bayern take on Juventus in what head coach Pep Guardiola has described as effectively "a final".

Against Bremen, Gotze started up front for Bayern as Guardiola rested hot-shot striker Robert Lewandowski, who came off the bench to score its fourth goal, and has now netted 34 times in all competitions this season.