Melvyn Lorenzen, Özkan Yildirim and Julian von Haacke are close to returning to team training...
Melvyn Lorenzen, Özkan Yildirim and Julian von Haacke are close to returning to team training...
Their teammates were already in the shower, the groundsman was getting ready to take care of the pitch after training but a trio of plays were still out on the training ground. They ran, put in crosses and took part in exercises with the ball. Melvyn Lorenzen, Özkan Yildirim and Julian Von Haacke are all on their way back to team training and were putting in some extra practice.
"It's going to plan," said a relieved Özkan Yildirim. Yildirim and his two fellow sufferers have been able to take part in some of team training, such as the warm-up, five against two and ball exercises. The trio were unable to take part in exercises involving tackling but their teammates weren't far away and they all left the training ground together.

And the next step is looming. "We could all be able to take part in everything with the team at the beginning of next week - or at least more," explained Julian von Haacke, who has been out for eleven months after rupturing his cruciate ligament. It's been almost a year since Yildirim took part in his last complete session with his teammates. "There will come a time," agreed the two players.
But things aren't always easy on the way back to recovery. Von Haacke feels "fit to make his return" four months after having a cruciate ligament operation. But there have been setbacks: "Unfortunately that happens," said the attacking midfielder, who has only made the Green-Whites squad for two Bundesliga games since joining the club.

Neither von Haacke nor Yildirim have lost their passion for the game. Melvyn Lorenzen, who made his Bundesliga return at the end of 2014 but then had to have a further knee operation, is finally almost back to full fitness. "I feel good again. Now I need to get my fitness back as quickly as possible," said the 20-year-old, who is targeting a return to a full week of training next week.
A fourth player was missing from training on Wednesday: Alejandro Gálvez. The Spaniard took part in an individual session indoors. All four players share the same thoughts that it's time for them to make their return.
