More options against Frankfurt: HSV's treatment room is clearing! | OneFootball

HSV’s recent poor run is at least partly down to their precarious squad situation. At times, as many as seven first-team players were missing.

The absence of defensive leader Luka Vuskovic has been particularly painful, with the center-back already missing three matches due to a knee bruise. On top of that, the northern club also had to do without Miro Muheim, Yussuf Poulsen, Jean-Luc Dompé, Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit, as well as suspended Philip Otele in the match against TSG Hoffenheim (1-2).

At least Sambi Lokonga made it back into the squad after being out for several weeks and was able to come on as a substitute for around 15 minutes. With three weeks left in the season, the Belgian is considered one of the team’s biggest sources of hope. Midfield partner Nicolai Remberg even described Lokonga as an “exceptional player” after the Hoffenheim game.

“When Sambi comes on and plays 15 minutes, that’s a sign he’ll be able to do more again next week,” Remberg said hopefully.

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HSV: New options thanks to Lokonga and Dompé

That hope is well founded. Mopo assumes that, if he gets through training smoothly this week, the 26-year-old could once again be a candidate for the starting XI against Eintracht Frankfurt (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.). In central midfield, Merlin Polzin would then be able to choose from Fabio Vieira, Albert Grønbaek, Remberg and, of course, Lokonga — or even field all four at once.

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That is because the options in terms of traditional wingers are currently extremely limited. The failed appeal against Otele’s two-match suspension only made matters worse. Dompé’s return could provide the urgently needed relief. The French left winger had not been included in the squad once over the past four weeks. First, a foot injury ruled him out, and later illness also sidelined him.

Dompé has now returned to team training, however. He could therefore be an option off the bench for the tough away game in Frankfurt. The next few days will determine whether the long-injured Røssing-Lelesiit will also be ready to make the matchday squad.

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