Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji out for several weeks with thigh injury

Borussia Dortmund will have to make do without Manuel Akanji for the next few weeks. The centre-back suffered a torn muscle fibre in his right thigh in the Champions League game against Sevilla on Wednesday, and Ruhr Nachrichten now report that he will be out of action for the time being.

Manuel Akanji’s injury leaves Borussia Dortmund well short in defence. But Dan-Axel Zagadou, who has missed the last eight games with a torn muscle fibre, is on the comeback trail. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Zagadou is expected to be in the match-day squad for next weekend’s Bundesliga game against Arminia Bielefeld. Michael Zorc hopes that the Frenchman will be able to take part in full team training in the coming week.

Emre Can played in the back four alongside Mats Hummels on Saturday in the 4-0 win over Schalke 04. But head coach Edin Terzic would like to have at least two specialist centre-backs available to him for the upcoming key games against Borussia Mönchengladbach (DFB-Pokal), Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) and Sevilla (Champions League).

Michael Zorc also hopes that Thorgan Hazard will be back in full team training this week. The Belgian international has endured a difficult struggle with muscle injuries this season. And Borussia Dortmund will want to ensure that they do not rush his return to action this time.

Roman Bürki is also expected be back in action for next weekend’s game, and Edin Terzic will have a decision to make on who will start in goal. Marcel Schmelzer (knee) and Axel Witsel (achilles tendon) are both currently in rehab after undergoing surgeries.