The Bayern Munich winger admits he does not yet know when he can remove a protective ankle cast but is adamant his career is not drawing to an end

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery has vowed that his ankle injury nightmare will not prevent him from returning to football for too long.

The former France international, who missed last summer's World Cup due to a back complaint, has been sidelined since March with an ankle problem picked up against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Ribery has been forced to wear a protective cast over his foot as a result of numerous setbacks to his recovery plans and question marks have been raised in some quarters over whether he can return to full fitness and form.

Bayern have also splashed out €30 million on Douglas Costa, prompting sporting director Matthias Sammer to insist that Ribery was not being replaced by the Brazilian.

But Ribery himself has made it clear he does not believe his top-level career could be coming towards an end.

"I don't know if the plaster cast will be removed if I still have pain. We will see," the 32-year-old told Kicker.

"It doesn't matter if I am 20 or 35 years old now, this injury has nothing to do with age. I will come back, that's for sure."

Ribery managed just 15 appearances in the Bundesliga last season.