19.01.2010

Players resume training

Preparations for Saturday's away clash with Hertha BSC Berlin began at the BORUSSIA PARK today. And it looks as if the club's injury problems are easing somewhat.

The loss of four strikers has caused an acute problem in the attacking department, with only Raul Bobadilla, Moses Lamidi and Fabian Bäcker available for selection in the 2-1 home defeat against Bochum on Saturday. Three days later, however, there is hope that the situation may improve by the weekend. Roberto Colautti and Oliver Neuville, who were sidelined by muscle strains last week, have resumed full training.

What is certain, however, is that Borussia will be without Karim Matmour and Rob Friend again in Berlin. Matmour reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup with Algeria last night and will be back in action on Sunday, while Friend will be restricted to light cycling work this week. The Canadian is set to have the stitches removed from his cut heel at the weekend and only then will be able to consider a return to full training.

There is good news as regards Thorben Marx (bruising on lower leg) and Dante (head wound), however. Both have been able to train without any problem and will be available for selection on Saturday. Paul Stalteri (MCL sprain), Gal Alberman (rehab training after heel surgery), Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker (rehab training after foot tendonitis) and Christian Dorda (torn patellar tendon) remain sidelined.

This week the players will train twice on Tuesday and Wednesday (1000 and 1600), once on Thursday (1000) and once on Friday (behind closed doors).