The very first announcement at Thursday's press conference was that Werder's home game Saturday 12 March 2011 at 6:30 p.m. against Borussia Mönchengladbach is totally sold-out, according to Werder media director Tino Polster. The second announcement was not as pleasant as Dominik Schmidt will miss the game at Weser Stadium. The defender could not return in time from his lingering ankle problem.

"Dominik Schmidt will not be available," said head coach Thomas Schaaf. There is still hope meanwhile that Tim Borowski will make an appearance. The 30-year-old, who missed training on Thursday, will complete a stress test on Friday. "Then we'll see if he can come back tomorrow," added the 49-year-old coach.

Two other midfielders are yearning for their comeback. Aaron Hunt missed the Freiburg match with a strain but he trained with the team for the first time again on Wednesday. And he didn't have any problems in the Thursday session either. Schaaf said he was unsure if Wesley will be part of the roster against Mönchengladbach. There is one more day of intensive work at the final training at 3 p.m. before Schaaf's team can follow up their first away victory of 2011 with their second home win in front of the sold-out Weser Stadium crowd.