Thomas was asked for the latest team news at his pre-match press conference at Deutsche Bank Park. He said: “A few things to report. Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert are both fine. Unfortunately, both were involved in a minor accident. Everyone else involved in that accident was just fine. It was a tyre blowing up. So, the two of them are a little bit delayed, they will arrive a little later tonight. That’s the first thing.
“Pedro hasn’t travelled, unfortunately he’s picked up a hamstring injury, so he’ll be out for four weeks. Micky hasn’t travelled – minor, minor thing, possibly available for the weekend. I think that’s it.”
Good news sees the return of midfield duo Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr – Joao has missed our last three matches after picking up a knock in training while Pape, who last featured on 14 December as he helped Senegal win AFCON, has recovered from illness to make the trip.
Speaking to us at DB Park, Thomas said: “Pape is ready again, he’s been ill, hasn’t done too much over the last two weeks, but he’s trained well last two days. He’s available. Joao is also ready. He’s worked really hard to get back from his injury, that’s also a positive. Of course, both will be pushed to play the full 90 minutes.
“It’s an opportunity for others to step up and be ready, players in the Academy – a great example was Jun’ai (Byfield) when he came on in an important game against Borussia Dortmund last week.”
It’s much-needed good news as well, with 14 senior players unavailable through injury or ineligibility – Porro, van de Ven, Richarlison, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Mo Kudus, Deki Kulusevski, Rodri Bentancur, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma, Mathys Tel, Conor Gallagher and our latest arrival, Souza.
