Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland to miss Paderborn game with knee injury

Borussia Dortmund have received another injury blow, with star striker Erling Haaland set to miss Sunday’s game against Paderborn with a knee injury.

Erling Haaland injured his knee after a collision with referee Tobias Stieler during the second half of Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, the Norwegian international will now miss the Black and Yellows’ next game, away to relegation threatened Paderborn on Sunday. He could return to the team for next weekend’s home clash against Hertha Berlin.

Losing Haaland is another big blow to Borussia Dortmund, who are already without Dan Axel Zagadou (out for the season) and Marco Reus (training injury). Although, Ruhr Nachrichten say that Axel Witsel increased his workload on Wednesday, and could be more involved against Paderborn. Emre Can and Jadon Sancho will also be looking to prove their fitness as they look to return to the starting line-up for the game against Paderborn.

One of Thorgan Hazard or Julian Brandt could take over the number nine role in the absence of the injured Erling Haaland. Mario Götze is also an option, but it is highly unlikely that he will get a chance to start.

Paderborn may well be bottom of the table, but Borussia Dortmund cannot afford to take them lightly. Paderborn nearly earned a stunning win over Borussia Dortmund in the reverse fixture, taking a shock three goal lead at half time, before Lucien Favre’s side pulled off a second half comeback to draw 3-3.

While Borussia Dortmund’s title hopes appear to be over after their loss to Bayern Munich, they need to return to winning ways this weekend, with fifth placed Bayer Leverkusen just four points behind them.