Roger Schmidt provides injury update

Roger Schmidt on…

…Karim Bellarabi: "Karim's rehab is going really, really well. But it is unrealistic to expect him to play in the last game of the year in the Derby against FC Köln. The winter break is only two weeks long. I expect he’ll return to full training in the New Year."

…Ömer Toprak, who dropped out of the Turkey squad on Wednesday: "Ömer picked up a muscle injury in the home game against Hoffenheim when he slipped as we conceded a goal. We were able to deal with it. I took him out of the team for the Darmstadt match. But he kept having slight problems and complained about stiffness in his muscles. The same thing cropped up with the national side and it was decided he should return home because the risk of injury was too high. He'll undergo treatment here in Leverkusen. We hope he'll be fully fit very soon."

…Vladlen Yurchenko, who played for an hour on Thursday in his comeback in the friendly against Fortuna Köln (1-0): "Vladlen has been back in full training for a week. We're glad to have him back."

…Julian Brandt: "Julian did not join the Germany squad for the World Cup qualifier against San Marino due to a bout of gastroenteritis. He is now recovering at home with his parents. That's the best place for a young lad to be."

…Joel Pohjanpalo (rehab after broken metatarsal): It's all looking good with Joel. It will probably be another two weeks before with certain he's fully recovered. Then he'll be able to return to full training."

…Kevin Kampl (bruised foot):"Things are looking up for Kevin. He only needs one crutch at the moment. He might make it for the run of fixtures against Leipzig, CSKA Moscow and Bayern Munich."

…Lars Bender (bruised heel): "Lars is getting better but is not making rapid progress and he can't put any weight on the heel at the moment. The match against Leipzig will be critical."

…next games: "The week has great potential for us and we can achieve a lot in the three matches. But it's an incredibly hard challenge playing against three very good teams on top of travelling to Munich via Moscow."