Niko Kovac is fretting over the fitness of some key players ahead of Borussia Dortmund's clash to Mainz in the Bundesliga.
Der BVB are looking to extend their winning run in the competition to six games although the 05ers have been on the up under new manager Urs Fischer.
Mainz have won their last three top-flight games and four of their last five while also holding leaders Bayern Munich to 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena.
After beating Dortmund in both their official clashes of 2024, they went on to lose their next two in 2025, while the fixture has also produced at least three goals in five of their last seven encounters.
The match also promises an exciting matchup between two highly talented forwards Serhou Guirassy and Nadiem Amiri, both of whom have been front and centre for their sides lately with vital goals.
Dortmund Team News
Most notably, the home side will be without talismanic defender Nico Shlotterbeck, who picked up a fifth yellow card of the season in their last game and will now serve a one-game suspension. He has been a key figure in one of the most stoic defenses in the Bundesliga this season with his game-reading ability while also popping up with a goal or two.
Filippo Mane and Emre Can, who has endured another injury-riddled campaign, are sidelined with injuries too as Kovac could start Niklas Sule, Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini as back-three.
Swiss international Yan Couto is doubtful with illness whereas Marcel Sabitzer is also facing a race against time as he recovers from a calf injury that has forced him to miss their last four league matches.
Should the former RB Leipzig star miss out, then Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha could start again as the midfield pivot.
Karim Adeyemi is close to returning from an ankle injury but his availability for Friday's clash remains uncertain. That means Kovac could retain Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier to operate from behind Serhou Guirassy.
The Guinean international is slowly returning to form, netting thrice from his last two Bundesliga appearances to indicate a return to form. Fabio Silva may only come off the bench again despite his assist for Guirassy's winner in the last game.
Borussia Dortmund probable starting XI: Gregor Kobel; Niklas Sule, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini; Julian Ryerson, Jobe Bellingham, Felix Nmecha, Daniel Svensson; Julian Brandt, Maximilian Beier; Serhou Guirassy.