Duda back in first-team training

Ondrej Duda took part in training on Tuesday (14/02/17).

Allan Souza was also involved.

Ondrej Duda took part in training on Tuesday (14/02/17). Allan Souza was also involved.

The wait is finally over for Hertha BSC as they were finally able to welcome back Ondrej Duda to training on Tuesday. The midfielder has been sidelined for several months with a knee injury. How long has he been out for? “I don’t know. You should know that better than me! I’m sure it’s somewhere in your database,” joked head coach Pál Dárdai, who was unable to recall exactly when Duda sustained the injury. It was in pre-season training that the Slovak first had to withdraw from the squad. In November, he briefly re-joined first-team training but suffered another injury setback which led to a second spell on the sidelines. Perhaps, therefore, it’s all the more pleasing that he came through his return unscathed. “I’m happy to be training again. It was like my first day here,” he said cheerily. “I feel fit, but I’ll need a bit more time before I’m ready for a game,” added the 22-year-old.

“He makes a good impression. You can see that he’s a good player,” said Dárdai. The manager also made clear that Duda, “needs to re-develop a feeling for the duels and, first of all, experience two or three weeks of training.” He added, “I hope he can stay fit.” It seems that coach Dárdai is prepared to give the Slovak the time he needs to regain his match fitness. Duda will not be available for the upcoming home game against Bayern Munich on Saturday (18/02/17, 15:30 CET), but he appears to be making good progress.

Allan Souza will, however, be available after returning from the South-America U20 Championships as he trained for the first time this calendar year on Tuesday.

The wait is finally over for Hertha BSC as they were finally able to welcome back Ondrej Duda to training on Tuesday. The midfielder has been sidelined for several months with a knee injury. How long has he been out for? “I don’t know. You should know that better than me! I’m sure it’s somewhere in your database,” joked head coach Pál Dárdai, who was unable to recall exactly when Duda sustained the injury. It was in pre-season training that the Slovak first had to withdraw from the squad. In November, he briefly re-joined first-team training but suffered another injury setback which led to a second spell on the sidelines. Perhaps, therefore, it’s all the more pleasing that he came through his return unscathed. “I’m happy to be training again. It was like my first day here,” he said cheerily. “I feel fit, but I’ll need a bit more time before I’m ready for a game,” added the 22-year-old.

Allan Souza also involved

“He makes a good impression. You can see that he’s a good player,” said Dárdai. The manager also made clear that Duda, “needs to re-develop a feeling for the duels and, first of all, experience two or three weeks of training.” He added, “I hope he can stay fit.” It seems that coach Dárdai is prepared to give the Slovak the time he needs to regain his match fitness. Duda will not be available for the upcoming home game against Bayern Munich on Saturday (18/02/17, 15:30 CET), but he appears to be making good progress. Allan Souza will, however, be available after returning from the South-America U20 Championships as he trained for the first time this calendar year on Tuesday.

Niklas Stark and Vedad Ibisevic did not train on Tuesday. “Vedad picked up a small injury during the Schalke game; Niklas has a problem with his calf,” explained Dárdai. “Both of them stayed in the treatment room today, but will probably return to training no later than Thursday,” said the Hungarian. Mitchell Weiser is still doing light training. “He’s started regaining confidence in his own body,” said Dárdai. “That’s the first step towards regaining full fitness.” Coach Dárdai won’t be putting undue pressure on the youngster.

Further training in preparation for game against the league leaders will take place at 10:00 CET and 14:30 CET on Wednesday, whilst on Thursday and Friday the blue and whites will train behind closed doors.