Werder striker Miroslav Klose has returned to team training and to join his colleagues donning a specially prepared mask: "I'm getting used to the mask, it doesn't impare my vision and I have no pain", said the German international. The Bundesligas top goalscorer has made a stunningly quick recovery after his clash with Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez one and a half weeks ago. "My flesh heals well", commented Klose in explanation of his speedy recovery. Trainer Thomas Schaaf is also pleased about the timing of Kloses return: "That speaks for our good medical support but he is still not a candidate to play against MSV." The 27 year could well be ready to return for the Champions League tie against Panathinaikos Athens on Wednesday, 07.12.2005: "We'll have to see how that goes", explained Schaaf.

On the other hand there was some bad news for defender Naldo who will definately miss Saturdays match. The 23 year old Brazilian had to break off team training on Thursday with a shoulder injury which he picked up against Schalke last weekend and Naldo was subsequently unable to take part in training on Friday. The result being Werder having to yet again play with an untested back line as Naldo had until now not missed a single Bundesliga minute this season.

The following 15 players make up the squad for Saturdays tie:

Reinke, Vander, Schulz, Fahrenhorst, Andreasen, Pasanen, Owomoyela, Jensen, Lagerblom, Baumann, Micoud, Borowski, Vranjes, Valdez, Hunt. Headcoach Thomas Schaaf retains the option of calling in the assistance from the Under 23 team after their game in St. Pauli.