Leverkusen, Germany - Bernd Schneider is hungry to play again after his worst career injury and is even looking ahead at the 2010 World Cup.

The Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder hopes to return to Bundesliga action before the end of the year from a back injury which has sidelined him since April.

"It's getting better. I have started working with the ball again, said Schneider, who turns 35 on November 17.

"Lets see when I can rejoin team training. But neither the doctors nor I can say when exactly this will happen. And I don't want to put pressure on myself."

Schneider had to undergo an operation on a slipped disc and has been through months of rehabilitation away from the spotlight.

The midfielder said he remained calm about the setback at this stage in his career. The August birth of son Giovanni helped his mind-frame as well but football remains the top priority.

Schneider has played 295 Bundesliga matches and won 81 caps for Germany.

The skillful midfielder was Germany's best player in the 2002 World Cup final they lost 2-0 against Brazil. He also played for Leverkusen in the Champions League final the same year, losing to Real Madrid.

Leverkusen, where he has played since 1999, have full faith in him and a few days ago renewed his contract by one year until 2010.

"We believe in him. We are convinced that he will return and help our team," said coach Bruno Labbadia.

Schneider named the new contract "a great motivation." He hopes that good matches for Leverkusen, who currently rank second in the Bundesliga, could pave the way for a return into the Germany team in time to make it to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

But Schneider, who missed Euro 2008 over the injury, is confronted with an abundance of rising midfielders. Not even long-time internationals like Torsten Frings are assured of a place in the starting 11 under coach Joachim Loew.

"First of all it is important that I become fully healthy again and play for my club. It is still a long way to the national team," he said. (dpa)