After the midfielder was accused of drinking alcohol at Bayern Munich's winter training camp - claims he fiercely denies - his team-mate has leapt to his defence
Manuel Neuer has rejected rumours of unrest in the Bayern Munich dressing room and offered a staunch defence of team-mate Arturo Vidal.
Vidal was the subject of a report in German newspaper SportBild claiming he drank alcohol prior to training at a mid-season club break in Qatar last month.
The Chile midfielder has denied the allegations and, together with Bayern, announced his intention to take legal action against the publication.
Speaking before Saturday's Bundesliga match away to Bayer Leverkusen, goalkeeper Neuer insisted former Juventus man Vidal is a valued member of the squad.
"People only have to see what Arturo does for the team," Neuer told a news conference. "No job is too small for him, he commits fully to every tackle.
"There's no debate among the players. The things people are trying to claim about the team doesn't affect us."
Alleged details of Vidal's salary were also published by the same outlet, but Neuer dismissed suggestions that the news could cause jealousy inside the Bayern dressing room.
"I can only repeat that we stick together," he said. "Everyone stands up for each other.
"We talk about how we can play better, not about payslips."
Bayern are without Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez due to injury, while defensive reinforcement Serdar Tasci, a loan signing from Spartak Moscow, may have to wait to make his debut after sustaining a concussion in training on Wednesday.
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich could deputise again alongside Holger Badstuber in central defence, but Neuer felt that makeshift pairing performed well in Sunday's 2-0 home win over Hoffenheim.
"It worked well. We all had a good feeling. Josh is attentive and quick."
- Goal