Werkself trio sidelined
Head coach Peter Bosz will have to manage without three players in the final phase of the pre-season. Joel Pohjanpalo, Mitchell Weiser and Lars Bender will be unavailable for different lengths of time.
A minor setback for Joel Pohjanpalo: The Finnish striker is sidelined for a couple of weeks due to a reaction in his right ankle. In the friendly against SD Eibar at the training camp in Zell am See, Pohjanpalo went off injured after a challenge and he was unable to take part in full training. As the situation has not improved in recent days, in spite of a break, the medical department at Bayer 04 have agreed in discussion with the player and the club to take him out of training the moment.
Mitchell Weiser also faces complete rest. The right back was kicked in the friendly against Heracles Almelo last Sunday and he was substituted on 24 minutes. A check-up revealed painful bruising on the sole of his foot and his metatarsal. The 25-year-old has to wear a special boot for a couple of days and will then take up a one-to-one training programme.
Lars Bender faces a shorter time on the sidelines. The Werkself captain suffered a slight strain in his right thigh in last Sunday's friendly against Vitesse Arnhem (28 July). He played to the end of the half but was replaced at the break by Cem Türkmen. The 30-year-old will be training on his own for a week or so.
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