Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez has revealed that he is hoping to return from a serious knee injury in March.
The Spaniard ruptured his cruciate ligament in the DFL-Supercup defeat to Borussia Dortmund in August, and despite recently stepping up his recovery, he admits that it's been tough to be away from the team.
"Watching my teammates play sometimes makes me sad. My exercises are much more boring [than playing a game]. It hurts in the head," Martinez told Bayern's official website.
"Building up muscles again is the most difficult bit. It takes a lot of hard work. But I'm a little bit better with every passing day. I worked hard on my knee every day over the holidays, so I've come back feeling good.
"[Pep] Guardiola and I talk every day. He's keeping informed about my recovery and asks me how I am. I'm hoping to be back with the squad in March, but it all depends on the knee."
Martinez, who joined the club from Athletic Bilbao in 2012, made 34 appearances in all competitions for Bayern last season.