Franz Beckenbauer: 'Bastian Schweinsteiger must battle Philipp Lahm for place'

Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer has insisted that Philipp Lahm might continue to play in midfield, despite the return of Bastian Schweinsteiger for the second half of the season.

Lahm has been deployed in the anchor role on several occasions by Pep Guardiola this season and Beckenbauer thinks that Schweinsteiger will have to fight to get his place back.

"Lahm could keep Schweinsteiger out of the Bayern starting XI," he told Bild. "Philipp could pretty much play in every position, except goalkeeper.

"The final decision obviously lies with Pep and it also depends on Schweinsteiger's fitness. I hope that Schweinsteiger can play a good second half of the season after all his physical problems in 2013."

Bayern are currently seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a game in hand.