News in brief: Schick back on the training ground

Welcome back! Werkself striker Patrik Schick is back on the training ground and he has completed the first sessions with squad since his calf injury. "Patrik has been able to take part in a lot of the training at reduced intensity," said head coach Gerardo Seoane on Tuesday morning.

Seoane: "Will make an important contribution for us"

Nobody wants to rush things and, above all, follow the week of training together with the medical department: "Players always feel a physical reaction after exertion. Therefore, the need for a good base and several sessions to get his movements and above all his mind at 100%. That's what we want to wait for," said the Swiss coach.

It remains to be seen whether the Czech Republic international will be a possible for the forthcoming Bundesliga match against Hertha Berlin on Saturday 2 April (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). It is clear though: "In terms of personnel at the moment it would obviously be important for him to come back. I'm sure he will make an important contribution for us in the remaining games," added Seoane.

Kanga scores march goal of the month

The like2drive Goal of the Month was provided by a youngster this time: U17 new signing Jardell Kanga played with an older age group in the U19 friendly against FC Düren (6-1) and he scored an excellent goal to make it 4-0 on 59 minutes. The Swedish youngster curled the ball round the wall from a free kick on the right-hand side of the box and into the net at the near post. Congratulations.

You can watch that impressive goal HERE.

25 years ago today

Somewhat longer ago but no less spectacular was the goal scored by the former Werkself player Erich Meijer: With an assist from Paulo Sergio, the Dutchman netted the second goal with a back-heel on 86 minutes in a 2-0 win in the home game against Schalke 04 in March 1977. That strike was the Goal of the Month in March 1997.

HERE is that goal to enjoy again

Völler thrilled by Havertz and Wirtz

"I see Germany amongst the usual suspects for the title – alongside England and Brazil," said Bayer 04 sporting managing director Rudi Völler in an interview with Germany editors network. "Even if the opponents have not yet been of real high quality. They will improve when faced with the class of the forthcoming opponents."

Kai Havertz, who came through the ranks under the Bayer Cross over the course of ten years, will play a key role in the mission. "I'm absolutely convinced that Kai will play a very good role at the World Cup," declared Völler. "You just have to look at Chelsea. A world-class striker like Romelu Lukaku has been on the bench for weeks because he can't get ahead of Kai."

The 61-year-old also sees the chances of the Werkself player Florian Wirtz, who underwent a successful operation on his cruciate at the weekend, of playing at the World Cup as realistic: "Watching the two playing together – one perhaps more attacking, the other a bit more defensive – would make me very happy. That these top players started their careers with us makes us proud," said the former Germany coach.

Foda announces resignation

The Austria coach and former Bayer 04 player Franco Foda has resigned his role as the coach of the Austria national team. The 55-year-old coach announced that himself at a press conference on Monday following the failure to qualify for the World Cup finals. Foda had taken over the team from Marcel Koller in the autumn of 2017. His overall record: 27 wins in 47 games. The German has his last match in the Austria dugout tonight (Tuesday 29 March) against Scotland. The former defender was part of the Leverkusen cup winning team in 1993 when he led the Werkself team to victory against Hertha Berlin (1-0) in the final as captain.