Freiburg's Irié makes progress after malaria but not fit v Bayern

Freiburg forward Cyriaque Irié continues to improve after his malaria infection, coach Julian Schuster said on Thursday, but Saturday's trip to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich comes too soon.

"His progress and his test results are positive," Schuster told reporters. "There are still a few things to work through. But we will give him time."

Irié moved from French club ESTAC Troyes to Freiburg in the close season but has so far only featured on the opening matchday in the Bundesliga.

He contracted the illness during an international trip and since mid-October the Burkina Faso international has been training individually.

If they fail to win, Freiburg will be the 11th Bundesliga team to drop points against the record champions so far this term. Only Union Berlin have grabbed a draw, with the Bavarians winning the other nine.

"There will be phases when we are pushed back deep," Schuster said. "We have to accept that. But we also want to show courage when they give us space."