Embolo returns as new week of training begins

The Foals began a new week of training without the injured Stefan Lainer and Marcus Thuram on Tuesday afternoon; Breel Embolo did, however, return following his injury.

The 4-0 defeat in Leverkusen at the weekend has ruled a few of our players out of the beginning of this week’s training. Stefan Lainer will be out for several weeks after suffering an ankle fracture. The Austrian has returned to his home country for an operation. Marcus Thuram will also need some time out having been diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament tear in his knee. Alassane Plea, who had to be substituted in the 63rd minute against Bayer 04, did not partake in today’s session. Fortunately, the Frenchman’s injury is not as serious as once feared and he should return to team training in the coming days. Matthias Ginter was also absent after testing positive for coronavirus.

Ramy Bensebaini participated today as usual despite picking up a knock towards the end of the game in Leverkusen. Breel Embolo joined his teammates at training for the first time this season after the Switzerland international sustained a muscular injury in his thigh at the beginning of July whilst competing at the European Championship. After easing back through some individual exercises, he was finally able to get re-involved with a small section of team training today.

The away game against Union Berlin on Sunday (15:30 CEST) will be too soon a return for the attacker. The Foals now have five training sessions to prepare for the upcoming match: at 10:30 CEST on Wednesday, two behind-closed-doors sessions on Thursday, another session at 10:30 CEST on Friday and a further closed session on Saturday.