Leverkusen facing numerous absences and doubts ahead of Leipzig trip

Absences and question marks leave Bayer Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand weighing his options against RB Leipzig.

Bayer Leverkusen head into Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig with significant personnel concerns.

Edmond Tapsoba, Ibrahim Maza and Eliesse Ben Seghir will all be absent due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday.

Christian Kofane, however, will be available, with the Cameroonian football association agreeing that the 19-year-old striker will join their squad only after the Leipzig match. 

His availability is a big boost for Leverkusen, especially with Patrik Schick still a doubt following the ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s 2-0 derby win over 1. FC Köln.

Defensively, Jarell Quansah is suspended, meaning Jeanuel Belocian is likely to start on the left alongside Loic Badé and Robert Andrich.

Andrich’s role in defence rules him out of midfield, where Exequiel Palacios and Ibrahim Maza are both unavailable. Aleix Garcia is a doubt due to muscular problems, while it is highly doubtful that Ezequiel Fernandez will be ready to start after only just returning to the squad following a lengthy injury spell.

Leverkusen will hope Alex Grimaldo is fit enough to start at left wing-back, having missed out against Köln, while Lucas Vazquez remains unavailable on the right, leaving Arthur in line to start.

In attack, Ernest Poku was substituted against Köln with a thigh issue, meaning Jonas Hofmann and Nathan Tella are expected to operate in attacking midfield behind the striker.