The midfielder has yet to play this season due to persistent injury problems but Bayern's sporting director says "relief is in sight"

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is on track to return to action in 2014, according to Matthias Sammer.

The 30-year-old has not made a competitive appearance since the World Cup due to a knee injury suffered during the pre-season tour of America.

However, Bayern sporting director Sammer says Schweinsteiger continues to make good progress in his rehabilitation and should feature before the end of the calendar year.

"There's no reason to say he cannot play more this year," he told Kicker.

"Of course it's possible Basti can come back in 2014, that's not at all unrealistic.

"The relief is in sight. He's made good progress."

Thiago Alcantara has also missed the season so far after damaging his medial ligament in March, though the Spain international returned to team training last month.

Sammer hopes to see him back in action soon but warned they would not rush his return.

"Slowly, slowly," he added when asked how the 23-year-old was progressing. "Now we have to integrate him, but we're looking at it carefully."