Borussia Dortmund: Axel Witsel, Emre Can could miss derby against Schalke after suffering training injuries

Borussia Dortmund midfielders Axel Witsel and Emre Can could miss next weekend’s Revierderby after both reportedly suffered injuries during training this week.

According to SportBILD, midfielders Axel Witsel and Emre Can both injured themselves in training earlier this week, and they could miss Borussia Dortmund’s crunch clash against Schalke 04 next weekend as a result. The report says that Witsel suffered an adductor injury without any challenge on Tuesday and has been absent from training since.

While Can was injured during training a day later. The report does add that an exact diagnosis on both cases is still pending, but both players are suspected to have a fibre tear.

The injuries to Witsel and Can are a huge blow to Borussia Dortmund. The duo have formed an excellent partnership in the middle of the park for the Black and Yellows since Can’s January deadline day move from Juventus.

If Witsel and Can are both forced to miss next Saturday’s crucial game against Schalke, head coach Lucien Favre could be forced to turn to Mahmoud Dahoud or Thomas Delaney. The former’s last start came all the way back in November, while the latter has been injured since November, and only recently returned to training.

Tobias Raschl, who has yet to make a competitive appearance for Borussia Dortmund could be another option. Julian Brandt could also be moved into central midfield to fill the gap.

Borussia Dortmund are already expected to be without Dan Axel Zagadou, who suffered a knee injury last month, and Marco Reus, who has been out with a muscle injury since February for the derby.

The Bundesliga is set to restart after a nearly two month break next weekend. Borussia Dortmund are currently in second place, four points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, with nine games to go before the end of the season.