Salih Özcan back in team training after recovering from injury

Borussia Dortmund defensive midfielder Salih Özcan is back in team training after recovering from the injury that saw him miss the start of the season.

Salih Özcan is closing in on his return to action after taking part in Borussia Dortmund’s training session on Tuesday morning. The defensive midfielder, who joined the Black and Yellows from FC Köln this summer, suffered a knock during his first week of pre-season training and missed last week’s DFB-Pokal first round tie against 1860 Munich as a result.

Özcan wasn’t able to train much during pre-season, so it is very unlikely that he will be rushed back into the starting XI. Jude Bellingham and Mahmoud Dahoud are expected to start in central midfield once again this weekend.

Borussia Dortmund began their preparations for this weekend’s Bundesliga matchday one clash against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday morning. Edin Terzic’s side got their season underway with a 3-0 win over 1860 Munich last week, and they will be aiming to begin their Bundesliga campaign with a statement win over Leverkusen on Saturday.

The Black and Yellows will have to make do without Niklas Süle this weekend after the defender suffered a thigh injury during Friday’s game. The Germany international is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks as a result. Mats Hummels will likely replace him in the starting XI.

According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Gio Reyna and Mateu Morey were also not part of the training group on Tuesday. The two youngsters made their injury comebacks in the pre-season friendly against Antalyaspor on Saturday. And Borussia Dortmund will look to slowly integrate them back into the team in the coming weeks.