International reinforcements for Hertha

Salomon Kalou strode on to the training pitch on Monday wearing gloves. You could tell why - the temperature was 13 degrees in Hertha’s first session after the international break. It was noticeably colder than the weather in Bamako, where Kalou had just travelled back from after featuring in Ivory Coast’s World Cup qualifier against Mali. The adjustment to the climate wasn’t quite as difficult for returning internationals like Marvin Plattenhardt, who only had to travel from Kaisersalutern after Germany’s win over Azerbaijan. “Everyone’s now here who we expect to be here. Marvin is fit after his international fixtures, so it’s great that he’ll be able to train the whole week with us,” said Pál Dárdai.

Rune Jarstein, Vladimir Darida, Peter Pekarik and Ondrej Duda also were back in the capital. While Jarstein only participated in individual drills due to knee problems, the others took part in a recovery session in the morning in the wake of their international games. “Rune is being held out from training, but things don’t look that bad for him. He thinks that he can play on Saturday,” said Dárdai on the keeper’s status. “He makes the decision if he trains or if he doesn’t. The human body is not a robot, so you have to be careful when players pick up injuries,” continued the head coach. Duda, Pekarik and Darida will have Tuesday off before rejoining the squad for training on Wednesday. “They’ve had a busy weekend and we need them at their freshest this weekend.” In addition to the other internationals, who will come back on Thursday at the latest, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Sebastian Langkamp were also missing from the session. “Basti probably won’t make an appearance against Schalke,” explained the coach.

The prospects of Valentin Stocker playing on the weekend look to be improving, as he made his return to training after knee problems. “Stocki is back to fitness again, and looks to have overcome his knee problems,” said Dárdai when asked about his man’s return. There was also positive news for Davie Selke: “If everything goes to plan, hopefully Davie will be on the bench on Saturday,” said Dárdai on the new-signing’s possible first Bundesliga appearance for the club. Before the game against Schalke, there will be training sessions on Tuesday (10:00 CEST), Wednesday (10:00 and 15:30 CEST), and also Thursday and Friday, which will be open to the public. Kalou might not have to wear gloves on Saturday if things go to plan, as a gaudy temperature of 18 degrees has been forecasted.