Selke returns to first-team training

Davie Selke returned to first-team training on Tuesday as Hertha BSC prepared for their game against Schalke 04.

Davie Selke walked into training flanked by his teammates on Tuesday at Schenckendorffplatz. The striker was clearly happy to be back in training after being out of action since mid-July. “Luckily, I am back in the team and I’m a bit ahead of schedule,” he said. The striker had suffered from a collapsed lung at a training camp in Neuruppin. This was followed by surgery, rehabilitation and then individual training.

Pál Dárdai was also clearly pleased that his striker has returned, but has also asked for patience. “It was not a minor injury. Davie has had a long break and needs to be eased back into it. Firstly, he has to start training regularly again,” the coach said. Selke should be closer to being available after the international break next weekend. However, the match this Sunday against Schalke 04 comes too early for Selke, as Pál Dárdai is not going to include him in the squad. “I will have to talk to the medical staff about when he can come back into the team, but the international break comes at a good time for him,” said the Hungarian.

Nevertheless, there is some bad news for Hertha: Marvin Plattenhardt has been ruled out for two weeks with a slight groin strain. Jonathan Klinsmann is also out due to an inflammation of the wisdom tooth. Valentino Lazaro was only able to complete one training session after suffering a small knock against Nuremberg on the weekend. "He really wanted to train, but I was against it. We have a long week ahead of us, so we should increase the load slowly and maybe he return to training on Wednesday," Dárdai said.

Trio still missing

There is no news about Vladimir Darida, Mathew Leckie and Peter Pekarik. The trio are still not able to partake in training and will not join the squad that will travel to Gelsenkirchen. They will be expected to miss training for the rest of the week.