Leckie returns to training

Pál Dárdai is not known for complaining and bickering for too long. “We must accept what’s happened,” is a sentence that the coach regularly repeats into journalists’ microphones. In recent weeks, however, Dárdai has definitely had a reason to complain, with the injury list getting longer, and almost a whole starting XI of players on the sidelines. Vladimir Darida and Peter Pekarik were also players to miss large parts of the preseason. To make matters worse, Marvin Plattenhardt, Karim Rekik, Maximilian Mittelstädt and now Jordan Torunarigha have been sidelined after the opening few games of the season, the latter suffering an Achilles tendon injury.

Few Hertha reinforcements, for now

The Coach can at least be a bit comforted by Matthew Leckie’s return to training on Tuesday. “It’s nice that he’s back. In the next two or three weeks he’ll probably have to do a few extra runs to build his fitness back up, but then we can plan for the future,” said Dárdai, who is hopeful that more players will return soon. “It is possible that one or two players could return over the course of the week, but we don’t want to take any risks,” explained the 42-year-old. The players referred to are Mittelstädt and Rekik, who recently upped their workload on their return to full fitness.

It’s doubtful whether the duo will be back in time for the next home match this Saturday at 15:30 CEST against Borussia Mönchengladbach. “We’ll take it day-by-day and see,” says Dárdai. The injuries are especially prevalent in defence. As well as injuries for Valentino Lazaro, Niklas Stark and Marvin Plattenhardt, the Blue-Whites will now have to compensate for the loss of Jordan Torunarigha. “Fabian Lustenberger and Derrick Luckassen are the two candidates to fill in. We’ll analyse our opponents in detail first and then see what’s best,” explains the Coach. What is certain is that Pekarik, Darida and Torunarigha will play no part in Dárdai’s plans. Alexander Esswein, Thomas Kraft and Sidney Friede are likewise still out, while Jonathan Klinsmann took part in a DFB training course.