Köln fear El Mala absence after injury blow

FC Köln have been dealt a potential injury setback with reports suggesting that rising star Said El Mala could face a spell on the sidelines.

The 19-year-old was forced to cut short Wednesday’s training session after sustaining an ankle injury. And as per reports from Bild, El Mala will undergo an MRI scan at the MediaPark Clinic in Cologne to determine the severity of the issue. 

Early indications suggest that he will almost certainly miss this weekend’s Rhineland derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach. 

El Mala has been one of the breakout performers thus far this season – contributing four goals and two assists across nine Bundesliga appearances. The winger has quickly established himself as a key player for the newly promoted Billy Goats, with comparisons even being made between the youngster and the iconic Lukas Podolski.

Köln have started fantastically upon their top-flight return, with Lukas Kwasniok’s men occupying seventh place in the Bundesliga after picking up 14 points in their opening nine matches.

They recently dispatched fellow promoted outfit, Hamburg, at the weekend, with Kwasniok’s side winning 4-1 at the RheinEnergie-Stadion. Making an appearance off the bench, El Mala netted Köln’s third of the afternoon in added time, to all but seal the deal against a HSV side with nine men. 

Details surrounding his injury are sparse as of now. However, the youngster will miss the club’s biggest match of the season thus far as they take on arch-rivals Gladbach.