Regular visitors to Werder training will likely have noticed that Özkan Yildirim has missed the Green-Whites' training sessions for a number of days. Head coach Robin Dutt on Tuesday did provide an update on when ‘Ötzi' may return to training.

"He has an adductors injury and will certainly miss two or three more weeks," said the coach. That means Yildirim, who last played against Eintracht Braunschweig, could be fit in time for the final stretch of the season. "I hope so. I would like to get fit as quickly as possible and then stay healthy for a while so that I can go at it again," said ‘Ötzi'.

In addition to Yildirim, also missing from Tuesday's training was Aaron Hunt as the Werder playmaker is labouring with a hardened thigh muscle and is out indefinitely. "I cannot say exactly who long Aaron will be out," said Dutt.

There was much better news for Aleksandar Ignjovski. ‘Iggy', who had recently missed time with a stomach muscle strain, was able to complete the entire team training. "I am completely fit again and will go all out," said Ignjovski. Santiago Garcia, who was surprisingly in the starting line-up against Hannover, also went through the complete session after a successful physio treatment a day earlier. It seems like Dutt will have the two players available for the home match against Schalke on Saturday at Weser Stadium.