Manuel Neuer is hoping to face former teammate Holger Badstuber when Bayern Munich host Schalke in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Neuer, 30, signed for Bayern in 2011 after 20 years at his boyhood club Schalke, while central defender Badstuber, a Bavarian stalwart since 2002, made the opposite move on loan till the end of the season -- having been also linked with a loan move to Manchester City in the transfer window.
Speaking at the prematch news conference ahead of the Schalke test, Neuer said he was looking forward to his friend's return to Munich.
"We are in regular contact, especially before games," he said. "I wished him all the best but unfortunately he hasn't played yet."
Neuer added: "I hope he plays against us and wish him all the best at Schalke -- naturally not especially for the next game -- but for the rest of the season. I hope he gets a lot of game time there so he can regain his old top form. "
Gelsenkirchen-born Neuer grew up a "Schalker" from 1991-2011, and was able to provide Badstuber with plenty of inside knowledge about his new club.
"I have a lot of experience at the club and we've spoken about that," he said. "He asked me all about the club environment, how everything works there, what sort of a club and team it is.
"I couldn't tell him anything about the coaching staff, but basically I could tell him how the club works."
Bayern lead nearest challengers RB Leipzig by three points at the top of the Bundesliga and are seeking their eight consecutive win a row at the weekend.