"The knee is OK again," said the 22-year-old, voted the best young player at last year's World Cup, after some light training on Wednesday under the watchful eye of Bayern's medical staff.

But it is still not clear when Podolski will be ready to play again. "We don't know yet when he can take part in full training with the rest of the Bayern team," said a Bayern spokesman.

Podolski picked up the knee injury in training at the end of April and had surgery later than month to remove cartilage from his left knee.

Having scored 22 goals for Germany in 38 appearances, Podolski faces stiff competition to win back his place in the Bayern team after the summer arrival of Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni and German veteran Miroslav Klose.

Bayern begin their Bundesliga campaign at newly promoted Hansa Rostock on August 11.