Keitel expected to replace ill Karazor against St. Pauli | OneFootball

VfB Stuttgart will most likely be without club captain Atakan Karazor when they take on St. Pauli in their final game of the year on Saturday.

"Unfortunately, 'Ata' is ill. He probably won't be able to play," said Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness at his pre-match press conference.

"Yannik Keitel will most likely replace him," he added.

Jamie Leweling and Deniz Undav recently returned to training but won't be rushed back into action.

"The game is too early for both of them. We don't want to take any risks," Hoeness confirmed.

Hoeness also revealed that striker Justin Diehl has picked up a muscle injury and won't be involved when Stuttgart begin preparations for the second half of the season in January.

"It's really bitter for the youngster to receive such bad news just before Christmas. But he'll bounce back. He has a great future ahead of him," Hoeness said.