Gundogan itching to return

Cape Town - Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan hopes to make his comeback soon after spending over a year on the sidelines.

The 23-year-old has suffered with a niggling back problem that saw him make just one league appearance for Jurgen Klopp's side last season and caused him to miss Germany's World Cup triumph in Brazil.

However, Gundogan is confident it wont be long until he is back on the training pitch and has targeted a return to action after the international break in November.

"The day of my return will come," Gundogan told kicker. "It is not too far off, I can tell you. The fitness to go through a full match is not there yet.

"I would want to be back in the Dortmund squad after the international fixtures in November."

The Germany international, though, has stressed that he will not be forced back into the first-team set-up before he has fully overcome his ailment.

"It is clear we are still to wait and see. We will not force me into anything!" he added.