Paris Saint-Germain are hoping Kylian Mbappe can make a rapid recovery from injury and feature in Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich as the French club aim to put a run of poor form behind them in a tie that could define their season. Mbappe was ruled out for three weeks after suffering a thigh injury in a game at Montpellier on February 1 but he returned to the training pitch Sunday and again on Monday.

The France superstar was then named in a squad of 22 for the last 16, first leg at the Parc des Princes, suggesting that he will play some part against the German giants. However, PSG coach Christophe Galtier said there were no guarantees that the 24-year-old, who scored seven goals in six matches during the group stage, would even be named as a substitute for the game.

"He trained well and the feedback is positive but it is not yet sure that he will be on the teamsheet. We will look at things tomorrow morning," Galtier told reporters on Monday. Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann had previously suggested PSG were playing mind games when they announced the France superstar would not be fit for the first leg. "I am assuming and anticipating that he is going to start. It is my job as head coach to be prepared for him playing and to try to prevent him from damaging us," Nagelsmann, who is without the injured Sadio Mane, said in Paris on Monday.

Meanwhile Galtier denied that PSG were considering naming Mbappe as a substitute just to frighten their opponents in a repeat of the 2020 Champions League final, won 1-0 by the Germans in Lisbon. "If he is on the teamsheet it will be to play, but I don't know how long it would be for," said the coach.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP