The Frenchman suffered World Cup disappointment with his national team but Nerlinger believes that when all the dust has settled, Ribery will be reborn.

"I see Franck Ribery as our biggest new signing," said Nerlinger to the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"I hope he can be with us at the start of the season against Wolfsburg and if he can remain healthy then we know that he is soon going to enchant all of the fans and help this team further."

Ribery's troubles started a year ago when he suffered a toe injury in pre-season.

He was not considered at all by Bayern coach Louis van Gaal until he had proven he was 100% fit, but then a series of injuries kept knocking him back.

Rumours about his private life surfaced as Bayern entered the semi-final stages of the Champions League and his red card in the first leg of that tie against Lyon, which consequently ruled him out of the final, was the latest ebb of a difficult season.

Speculation about his future accompanied him throughout the year until he signed a new deal with Bayern as they paraded their silverware in Munich in May, but the controversies at the World Cup and the ongoing police investigation into his private life have set him back again.

But Nerlinger does not believe all of the troubles have left a trace on the 27-year-old, who he says is as keen as ever to parade his talents on the football field.

"He has the worst year of his career behind him, but I have noticed in several chats we have had that he is highly motivated and really wants to perform to his best," added Nerlinger, who has ruled out making any new signings this summer.

"There are no areas of our team which need strengthening," he said.

Ribery put his off-field preoccupations to one side today by returning to pre-season training, stepping up his recovery from a groin operation.

The Frenchman underwent surgery on his groin at the end of June, yet he still hopes to be fit come the start of the season, which commences at home against Wolfsburg on August 20.

"I still need about a week to 10 days before I can start training with the team again," said Ribery on the club's website.

Ribery was not the only returnee to Bayern's training ground today as Martin Demichelis was put through his paces for the first time since May.

He trained along with Daniel van Buyten, who did not take part in a friendly against a Trentino team yesterday as his wife is due to give birth. Those who did play yesterday took part in just a light workout.

Louis van Gaal's squad will be complete in just over a week when captain Mark van Bommel, Arjen Robben, Edson Braafheid and the Germany contingent of players return for the first time after the World Cup.