Dutt about Di Santo: "It could be enough for 75 minutes"

The performance level of the Werder players was checked Thursday morning as part of lactate tests. (Photo: GUMZ // MEDIA).
First Team
Thursday, 14.11.2013 / 16:36

The Werder players went through a lactate test during the Thursday morning session. Franco Di Santo was a bit surprised at this and asked his teammates Clemens Fritz and Predrag Stevanovic in German: "Why are we doing this...

The Werder players went through a lactate test during the Thursday morning session. Franco Di Santo was a bit surprised at this and asked his teammates Clemens Fritz and Predrag Stevanovic in German: "Why are we doing this?" The Argentinean had never experienced the mixture of taking blood and incline runs during his time in the English Premier League. Fritz answered mischievously, "We are only doing this for you." The captain spoke out what most Werder fans were wondering - namely how fit is Di Santo?

Head coach Robin Dutt was also interested in how the Argentinean striker performed in the lactate test, which measures the players' fitness levels. "I am anxious about what comes out for Franco. But if everything goes okay then he should definitely be on the squad against Mainz. And it could be enough for about 75 minutes," said Dutt. Those who think the coach's words mean Di Santo could start the match could be disappointed. "My plan also could be to sub him in after 15 minutes," said Dutt with a grin after the first of two training sessions on Thursday.

Di Santo sees himself on a good road. "I feel a lot better and will use the national team break to fully prepare for the next match," explained the Argentinean looking forward to the match against FSV Mainz 05 at home at Weser Stadium (Sunday, 24 November 2013 5:30 p.m.).

While Werder's Argentinean striker also was able to train fully in the second session of the day, Assani Lukimya had to sit out for the second straight day. The Congolese international is struggling with hip pain and underwent an MRI on Thursday. "Assani once again is fighting with his problems in the hip and was at a regular check-up. But that is not the problem. I am optimistic that he can return to training on Monday," said Dutt about a possible return by the centre back.

Until then, Lukimya will only miss one more session. All of the healthy players will go through one more intensive training Friday morning at 10 a.m. before Dutt gives his players the weekend off.

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