Gladbach got their preparations for Saturday’s trip to Werder Bremen (18:30 CEST) underway on Tuesday afternoon. Alassane Plea and Tobias Sippel were able to complete parts of the training session, whereas Marcus Thuram is currently on the sidelines.
The foals took to the training pitch on a damp and cold Tuesday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s clash with Werder Bremen. Daniel Farke had a small group of twelve outfield players to work with, as Stefan Lainer is the only player to have returned from international duty thus far. Alassane Plea, who has missed out in recent weeks due to the adductor injury he picked up against Mainz, was able to complete some of the session. “He (Alassane) was able to take part in the warm-up, the sprints and the passing exercises and he looks to be on the mend. If his body can take it, he might be able to fully participate tomorrow,” explained Farke.
Thuram missing with calf problems
Tobias Sippel also returned to training, two weeks after he sustained damage to his shoulder joint. “Tobi is back faster than we expected, but he only completed part of the session. Best case scenario, he can rejoin team training tomorrow,” said the gaffer. Marcus Thuram, on the other hand, had to miss today’s session due to a minor calf problem. “It’s not a muscle injury, therefore it shouldn’t be too serious. We hope he can be back on the pitch soon,” explained Farke.
Following the injuries of Florian Neuhaus (partial ligament damage in the right knee) and Ko Itakura (partial ligament damage in the left knee), the Foals have another long-term absence to deal with. Hannes Wolf suffered a labral tear in his shoulder joint in the game against Leipzig and has subsequently had to undergo surgery. The Austrian is now expected to be out until after the winter break. “His surgery went well and he is now taking the first steps in the rehabilitation process at home. He will rejoin us when he is able to,” said Farke.
National players slowly returning
The remaining international players are expected to return to BORUSSIA-PARK on Wednesday. “Yvandro Borges Sanches is back and he completed regenerative training indoors today. Stevie was keen to train and that’s why he was with us today. The others are coming back bit by bit,” explained the boss. “We can start the proper preparations for the game in Bremen on Thursday, when the squad will be complete again.”
The morning sessions on Wednesday and Thursday will take place in front of the public (10:45 CEST), whereas the afternoon sessions on Wednesday and Friday (15:45) will take place behind closed doors.
