Hecking reveals lighter incident has affected Drewes mentally

VfL Bochum coach Dieter Hecking has given an update on Patrick Drewes after the goalkeeper was hit in the head by a lighter in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Union Berlin, saying the incident has been tough on him mentally.

Patrick Drewes has become the centre of attention at VfL Bochum after being hit on the head with a lighter during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Union Berlin.

Bochum coach Dieter Hecking has told WAZ that although the goalkeeper has “no more physical limitations”, he hasn’t yet returned to training with the team because of the mental impact of the incident.

“It’s been extreme in the last two days, what’s happened to him on social media, who’s made comments and how they’ve been made, there’s been a lot of discussion about him. I think a lot of people underestimate what happened to him mentally after the lighter was thrown and in the aftermath,” Hecking said.

“We decided to give him another day or two to process the whole incident. I think that’s the right way to go.

“We want to fully integrate him back into the team training on Thursday and then hopefully he’ll be back in goal on Sunday.”

The game against Union continued after the incident, but Bochum have since lodged an appeal to have the 1-1 draw overturned.

Bochum face Heidenheim on Sunday.