Toni makes comeback for Bayern reserves

Italian international striker Luca Toni made his comeback in a match for Bayern Munich’s reserves on Friday, after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with Achilles tendon problems.

The 2006 World Cup winner played the first 45 minutes in a 5-0 defeat for Bayern’s second-string against Regensburg in the German third division.

“It went really well from a personal perspective,” said Toni, whose last match with Bayern’s first team was on May 23.

“I would have liked to have played for longer to help the team more, but I’m now ready to play for the first team.”

Toni finished as Germany’s top scorer in the 2007-08 season but he faces stiff competition in Bayern’s striking department from Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose, Ivica Olic and emerging star Thomas Mueller.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal has also taken a firm stance with players who are recovering from injury.

Klose was kept out of the club’s last two matches due to a lack of fitness and French winger Franck Ribery is yet to start a league game.