Dortmund, Germany  - Borussia Dortmund left back Dede hopes to return to German football action in January from a severe knee injury.

The Brazilian Dede told Friday's edition of the Ruhr-Nachrichten daily that he is recovering well from tearing the cruciate ligament in his knee in in early August.

"The knee is great. I want to resume training in January and to make the squad for the match against Bremen," he said in reference to a January 28, 2009, cup match against Werder Bremen. (dpa)