Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck has been included in the matchday squad for their game against Werder Bremen tonight, while Julian Ryerson misses out.
Just hours until the BVB resume their 2026-27 Bundesliga campaign following a three-week hiatus, Sky reporter Patrick Berger broke the news on X.
There were doubts over Schlotterbeck's availability for the clash after sustaining a ligament damage to his right ankle during a training session with Germany's national team on 30 September.
He was widely expected to miss the game against Bremen tonight, but his inclusion in the matchday squad means the 26-year-old may start. If not, he'd be on the bench at least.
This allays all fears of another injury layoff as Schlotterbeck had only returned from a ligament tear he suffered during the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the national team back in June.
He missed the remainder of their campaign, was sidelined from BVB's entire preseason run, and remained absent from their first five games of the new season too.
Kovac will be cautious against throwing him at the deep end right upon returning as Dortmund face a nine-game marathon in the next 35 days and Schlotterbeck's presence in defense will be vital in navigating through the punishing run of fixtures.
Ryerson misses out
Another player who returned from the international break injured was Julian Ryerson, who aggravated his rib injury (that he sustained in the previous clash) early on in their clash against Wales and went off, missing their last Nations League fixture of the international window in Portugal.
In his last press conference before the game, Kovac sounded unsure of the Norwegian full-back's availability but revealed he will be assessed on the day and determine his match-readyness. But latest developments suggest he hasn't recovered yet and is hence sidelined from the clash.
Maximilian Beier, who had a three-week off after failing to make the cut into either of Jurgen Klopp's squads, could come in for Ryerson on the right. If Schlotterbeck also fails to make it into the XI, Joane Gadou could join the usual suspects in defense, Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini.
Chukwuemeka also sidelined
Ryerson is joined on the sidelines by Chukwuemeka, who returned from the international break with muscle problems. He played thrice with Austria during the international break, even making his first international start on 1 October against Ireland, but remained an unused substitute in their last one against Kosovo.
Albert looking for a first appearance
Coming off an emphatic international breakthrough with the USMNT, Mathis Albert has returned to the matchday squad after missing out last time against Stuttgart. He's yet to play in the Bundesliga this season, but there's a chance we could finally see him in action tonight, but probably off the bench.
Full BVB squad
Here's Dortmund's full matchday squad for the Werder Bremen clash:
Gregor Kobel, Alexander Meyer – Nico Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton, Joane Gadou, Luca Reggiani, Daniel Svensson, Ramy Bensebaini, Kaua Prates, Felix Nmecha, Jobe Bellingham, Joey Veerman, Marcel Sabitzer, Konstantinos Karetsas, Ethan Nwaneri, Mathis Albert, Maximilian Beier, Serhou Guirassy, Fabio Silva, Samuele Inacio.
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