At least something: two HSV stars set for comeback against Leipzig | OneFootball

After the 0–5 thrashing by Mainz, the mood around HSV has hit rock bottom. Any transfer euphoria from the previous week has vanished.

At least there was one piece of news on Sunday evening that should bring something like relief to the Hamburg camp: Sambi Lokonga apparently will not be out for much longer. The Belgian had missed the crushing home defeat against Mainz due to injury.

An hour before kick-off, the Rothosen announced via their social media channels that the midfielder was suffering from “acute back pain” and was therefore ruled out at short notice. Whether a fit Lokonga could have prevented the team’s utterly dismal performance is doubtful. Still, the 26-year-old playmaker was visibly missed in the center of the pitch.

Photo: IMAGO

Merlin Polzin clarified the situation after the final whistle. “Sambi made a wrong movement in the final training session, and something pulled in his back, which meant he wasn’t fit to play,” the HSV coach explained at the press conference. So, a longer enforced spell on the sidelines does not appear to be on the cards.

HSV will likely be able to count on Lokonga in Leipzig

On the contrary, Lokonga could be back on the training pitch in the coming days. “I assume we’ll have that resolved at the start of the week,” Polzin said confidently. His goal is clear: the midfielder should rejoin the team as quickly as possible and be available for the next Bundesliga match at RB Leipzig (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.).

For HSV, that is at least a small bright spot amid a completely botched start to the season, with zero points and a 0:7 goal difference. In Lokonga’s case in particular, the quick all-clear is likely to come as a relief to many fans. The No. 8 has repeatedly been set back by injuries in recent years, and even in his first HSV season his workload was carefully managed.

Also positive: According to consistent media reports, Warmed Omari made his comeback in substitute player training on Monday. More than four weeks ago, the center-back suffered a shoulder injury. Those in charge at HSV are now hoping he will be ready for the matchday squad in Leipzig. In any case, an alternative would be important for a back line that looked completely dismal against Mainz.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.