Sabine Kehm has rubbished a media claim that Michael Schumacher is able to move unaided.

Just days before the second anniversary of the skiing accident which almost claimed the life of the seven-time world champion, a German magazine has proclaimed "he can move again" on its front cover alongside a picture of the smiling Schumacher.

The celebrity magazine Bunte claims that the legendary F1 driver is able to take "tentative" steps with the aid of a carer and has regained some movement in one arm.

"Michael is very thin," a source is quoted as saying in the piece which describes the 'progress' as a 'Christmas miracle'. "But he can once again walk a little with the help of his therapist. He manages to walk a few steps. He can even raise his arm."

His manager, Sabine Kehm, was quick to dismiss the claim which had been seized upon by the usual suspects.

"Unfortunately, we are forced by a recent press report to clarify that the assertion that Michael could move again is not true,” she said in a statement. “Such speculation is irresponsible, because given the seriousness of his injuries, his privacy is very important for Michael. Unfortunately they also give false hopes to many involved people."

Sadly, this is the first official word since last December, when Kehm admitted: "We need a long time. It's going to be a long time and a hard fight. He is making progress appropriate to the severity of the situation."