Season

“Good array of options” as HSV begin preparations for Magdeburg

HSV returned to the training pitch on Monday as they started work ahead of Friday’s clash with 1. FC Magdeburg, for which Davie Selke will be suspended. Head coach Merlin Polzin nevertheless feels his side are well equipped to deal with his absence.

This week sees a quick turnaround for Merlin Polzin and his HSV side following Saturday’s 4-1 victory at home to Fortuna Düsseldorf, with the team back out on the training pitches as early as Monday. Usually, two free days would be allowed after a match for regenerative purposes; however, with the Rothosen back in action away to 1. FC Magdeburg this Friday night, Polzin and his coaching staff feel there is no time to waste in making preparations for what is sure to be tough test against another side in the upper reaches of the table.

Particular focus will lie on selecting a replacement for Bundesliga 2 top scorer Davie Selke, who has 17 goals to his name so far but picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Düsseldorf. He will therefore be suspended on Friday. “Ransi and Otto can both fill in to great effect,” reported Polzin. “Both have produced good performances and good numbers so far this term.”

Another possibility could see the return to action of Robert “Bobby” Glatzel (pictured), who has missed the last five months due to injury. “Bobby is close to being fully recovered so was in contention for making the squad for the Düsseldorf game,” explained Polzin, although he and his coaching staff ultimately chose not to include the striker and instead opt for a further week of work in training before his reintroduction. “Bobby continued to train on both Saturday and Sunday and he is now match ready once again after months of hard work. He is obviously another viable candidate to come in for Davie.” The case is the same for Immanuel Pherai, who is now also available once more and could feature in Magdeburg after an extended period on the sidelines. Polzin is pleased to have a full quota of players back fit and firing, with the Volkspark training pitches especially well attended on Monday.