Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf will have to make do without the services of striker Hugo Almeida for tomorrow’s clash with FC Schalke 04. During Friday’s final pre-match training session, it was clear that the Portuguese international was struggling with muscular problems in his hip area: “He won’t be able to play against Schalke. We hope that he will be back again sometime next week”, explained Schaaf following the session.

The coach will also have to make his plans without Sebastian Boenisch and Daniel Jensen (both suffering from thigh muscle tears). The forced changes could mean the chance for a further Bremen attacker to show just what he is capable of. Mesut Özil made the move from Schalke to the Weser in January and will be in the squad to face his former team-mates on Saturday: “I’m really looking forward to it. I hope that I get the chance to play - that would be a really big event for me”, commented Özil full of anticipation.