Borussia Dortmund's sporting director Nils-Ole Book has offered some insights into how the injured duo of Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can are performing in their road to recovery and fans could be pleased to hear it.
Schlotterbeck returned from the 2026 FIFA World Cup injured after sustaining a knock to his hamstring during Germany's second group match of the tournament while Can has been sidelined with a torn ACL he picked up in March against Bayern Munich.
Both have missed Dortmund's preseason campaign so far, including their tour of Japan last week, and their return date remains unknown. Book, though, offered a revelation into their recovery as players are reportedly working hard to attain match fitness.
"“It’s very difficult even for highly experienced medical professionals and our rehab coaches to predict the future. I see both of them fully motivated every day during their rehab and training. They’re also fully committed to the team and the team spirit as key players. No one—and certainly not me—can say exactly how much longer it will take.”"he told the press on Wednesday
Schlotterbeck's injury was a huge blow for the BVB, having emerged as their key defender last season. He is also set to miss the first few weeks of their 2026-27 campaign, including the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against Bayern Munich on 22 August, as Dortmund expect him to return only by mid-September.
As for Can, it's been a long road for the Dortmund skipper, whose time at the club has been marred with a series of fitness issues. He missed the last two months of their 2025-26 campaign last season, wasn't called up to Julian Naglesmann's 26-man Germany squad for the World Cup and will remain sidelined going into the new campaign too as Can isn't slated to return before December 2026.
Dortmund have replacements in place
While Schlotterbeck will be a huge miss, Dortmund have invested in a few young defenders who could come in for him. Frenchman Joane Gadou, signed on a €19.5 million transfer from Red Bull Salzburg, has been played in the back-three by Kovac during the pre-season and could start for them until the former returns to the fold.
Meanwhile, Felix Nmecha and Jobe Bellingham have been internal replacements for Can with both starting a handful of games together last season and striking up a formidable midfield partnership in Kovac's system. It is set to continue in the new season too.
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