Werder supporters can still have hope that Claudio Pizarro will play on Saturday. The Peruvian striker returned to the training pitch Friday afternoon, completing a relaxed running session with physiotherapist Stefan Wolters and later travelled with the team to Frankfurt. But it remains unclear if Pizarro is an option for the Green-Whites' starting line-up. "I am doing well," said Pizarro after the session. But he refused to offer any prognosis for Saturday. "It's a bit problematic with the knee because I cannot push it too much. There is a bit of fluid inside and if I do too much, the knee could swell again. Luckily we still have a day left. We will talk about it tomorrow and see what makes sense," said Pizarro.

In addition to Pizarro, vice captain Per Mertesacker will also be on board the plane to Frankfurt. The centre back has recovered from his gastro-intestinal infection and will be available for head coach Thomas Schaaf. After two and a half months, backup keeper Christian Vander is back in Werder's game squad. The 29-year-old has not been at a match since 31 October 2009 in Nurnberg when he suffered a double hernia and had to undergo surgery.

Abdennour flies with team

Schaaf also nominated new acquisition Aymen Abdennour for the 18-man game squad. Even though Bremen are still waiting for the clearance from the Tunisian federation for Abdennour, Schaaf sees the 20-year-old as a real alternative at left back. "He has completed a few trainings with us and knows the basics of our game," said Schaaf. Werder were still waiting Friday evening for the game permission for the defender.

Head coach Thomas Schaaf nominated the following 18 players after the final training session: Wiese, Vander, Naldo, Mertesacker, Prödl, Fritz, Frings, Marin, Özil, Hunt, Almeida, Rosenberg, Niemeyer, Pasanen, Borowski, Jensen, Pizarro, Abdennour.