Hope for Di Santo

Will he be coming away with the match ball on Saturday? Franco Di Santo is back in team training (photo:nph)
First Team
Thursday, 12.02.2015 / 16:31

The anticipation ahead of the third home game in a week is growing! Werder manager Viktor Skripnik is also looking forward to the game against FC Augsburg on Saturday...

The anticipation ahead of the third home game in a week is growing! Werder manager Viktor Skripnik is also looking forward to the game against FC Augsburg on Saturday, 14th February (15:30 CET): "Everyone is ready and waiting for kick-off to experience the amazing atmosphere." The personnel situation, especially up front, has improved ahead of the meeting between two of the in-form sides in the Bundesliga.

Top goalscorer Franco Di Santo was back in team training on Thursday afternoon following his muscle problem and took part in the whole session. But he's not a certainty to start the game against Augsburg. Although the Argentine has come so far to be able to train again, said Skripnik, Di Santo will have to "wait and see how his thigh reacts."

Bartels ill, Bargfrede has back problem

Werder winger Fin Bartels will have to be patient because of a stomach bug (photo: nph)

A last minute decision will be made as to whether Fin Bartels and Philipp Bargfrede will be included in the squad. Bartels has recovered from his gluteal injury but the 28-year-old wasn't able to train on Thursday due to a stomach bug. "He said, 'boss, I can train', but he didn't take part and we'll wait and see what he's like tomorrow," said Skripnik.

They'll have to "look day-to-day and decide at the last minute" as to whether Bargfrede will be able to play against fourth-placed Augsburg. The holding midfielder is currently suffering from a back problem. He could be replaced in the side by Cedric Makiadi, who has recently returned from the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite missing the first few games since the winter break, he's been making a "good impression" at training, said Skripnik, who went on to say: "We need his experience, especially with some important games coming up."

Sebastian Prödl, who is currently making good progress, will definitely not be available. The centre back, who picked up a knee injury around two months ago, has been back at team training this week "but he still needs more time in order to regain the security in his knee." No matter who starts the game, who's on the bench waiting to come on or who's cheering from the stands: "Everyone is ready," said Skripnik.

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