BERLIN, March 22 -- Manuel Neuer's return to action is a real nail biter. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper could possibly miss the 2018 World Cup due to his foot injury, said former German international Oliver Kahn in advance of Germany's friendlies against Spain and Brazil.

With Neuer undergoing further fitness tests at his club's training center, Kahn stressed, "The situation is different compared to 2017 for Manuel." The former goalkeeper told German media Neuer will have more problems than in 2017 to return to full fitness and book a ticket to the World Cup.

"He's older now and recovery takes longer," Kahn continued. The 31-year old Neuer only just returned in time for the 2017 tournament after suffering a shoulder injury.

The 48-year-old said Neuer's attempt to recover is thwart with danger as the 2017 world champion is currently trying to get over the third consecutive injury to the same bone in the foot. Since September 2017, he has missed 39 games for his club.

"His coaches will get to the point when they will have to decide if it makes sense to let him play at all," Kahn noted. Bayern Munich is under pressure to perform well as the season has reached crunch-time "when decisions about titles are made."

It he is not able to match practice at Bayern, Neuer will not be of great help to Germany's head coach Joachim Loew assumed Kahn.

The Nuremberg-based football magazine kicker reports Neuer is expected to do some intensive testing today and the rest of the week on a treadmill. Doctors and Neuer want to see how the injured foot is reacting after training at greater intensity.

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