Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf summoned his squad to a double shift on the trainings pitch on Tuesday and there followed plenty of material to discuss. Whilst a number of injured players showed their faces on the trainings pitch again, there were others who bid adieu – if only for now.
“Quite okay”, was the conclusion from Tim Borowski after the session. The midfielder who has been suffering from the effects of a bruised toe was able to play a full roll during both training periods and will travel to Amsterdam with the team. Wheter or not he will be able to partake in the game is questionable but treatment and painkillers are being used to aid his recovery. There are still doubts over defensive giant Naldo who again ran some laps of the pitch with physio Stefan Wolters and was satisfied with his progress: “It was batter, I believe I will be available to play on Thursday.” Thomas Schaaf doesn’t wish to take any chances. Naldo will travel to Amsterdam with the team but the coach said: “He’s less likely to play than Boro.” Naldo is suffering with some muscular difficulties.
Following months of hard work in the background, Patrick Owomoyela made his return to team training. The full-back began to have problems with his ankle during the clubs trainings camp in January and since then has been training hard in the fitness room at the Weser Stadium and partaking in some jogging exercises. ‘Owo’ was still only jogging on Tuesday but was back close to his team mates again for 35 minutes. “I’ve been back jogging for a week now and have been increasing the intensity. We will continue to increase the work load from day to day and see how it develops”, explained the defender. Owo was understandably not yet will to offer a prognosis as to when he will be able to get back to kicking ball again: “I just hope to be back at it again very soon.”
There was great joy at the visit of kidney transplant patient Ivan Klasnic, who greeted his colleagues as they headed for the showers after the afternoon session. The striker was enjoying a stroll with his young daughter Fabiana and his dog Ginger as he stopped by to wish his team all the best for the upcoming tasks in Amsterdam and Mönchengladbach.
Thomas Schaaf, and the watching fans, had to make do without midfield engine Torsten Frings who had to rest up with a back problem but is as yet still part of the Amsterdam squad. Not travelling with the squad are the winter signings Peter Niemeyer and Markus Rosenberg, both of whom are cup tied for the UEFA Cup. Neither were training with the first team on Tuesday either as Thomas Schaaf has ‘Loaned’ them out to the Under 23 regional league side during the time that the A-team are away. The duo trained with Thomas Wolter’s side on Tuesday and will gather some match practice against Wilhelmshaven on Wednesday. “No problem, totally normal situation. I don’t want to be just sitting around”, commented Markus Rosenberg on the decision to play with the amateurs.
The squad which travels to Amsterdam and will have a final training session at the Arena on Wednesday at 6:30pm is as follows: Reinke, Wiese, Pasanen, Naldo, Wome, Vranjes, Fritz, Diego, Klose, Hunt, Polenz, Jensen, Frings, Almeida, Borowski, Schulz, Schindler, Mertesacker and Bischoff.