German Bundesliga side Mainz 05 are battling with the possibility of not having Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun for this weekend’s important league game away to Borussia Dortmund.
Balogun who missed his side’s last two league matches against Leipzig and Augsburg due to a rib injury is rated doubtful for Saturday’s lunch time game at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.
Mainz are in an uncomfortable 14th position on the Bundesliga table, five points above the automatic relegation zone with just two games left to play in the season.
Sandro Schwartz side know they face a daunting task at Dortmund – who have their sights set on usurping Schalke for second spot – and may have to face the trip without Balogun despite having made progress on his injury.
The German club on Thursday confirmed that former Darmstadt star Balogun has returned to training although he has not trained fully with the rest of the squad, casting doubts over his participation on Saturday.
— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) May 3, 2018
Squad update:
- @LeonBalogun, has not been able to fully train.
- Suat #Serdar should return today.
- Danny #Latza and Emil #Berggreen are still not ready to return to training. pic.twitter.com/VDI4LrWo19
The centre back’s situation will interest Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr who is expected to release his provisional list of players for this summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia within the next fortnight.
Balogun has made fourteen appearances – all as a starter – in the league this season for Mainz 05 despite having to battle with injuries a number of times.
