St. Pauli dealt double injury blow ahead of Gladbach showdown

Manolis Saliakas and James Sands have been ruled out of the big relegation clash against fellow Bundesliga strugglers Borussia Mönchengladbach this Friday.

FC St. Pauli have confirmed that two of their players will be absent through injury for this Friday’s clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Manolis Saliakas was one of two individuals in Alexander Blessin’s side to pick up a knock in the 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.

The Greek full-back sustained a minor structural injury to his right thigh during a sprint at the start of the second half.

Meanwhile, James Sands had to go off after a foul committed by Ritsu Dōan which forced the midfielder to depart on 80 minutes.

Further tests conducted today revealed that Sands damaged ligaments in his left ankle, an injury that will keep him out for the time being. 

It is unclear how long he will be sidelined at the moment, but both he and Saliakas will miss Friday’s trip to face Gladbach.

The news comes as a blow for the Kiezkickers who are 16th and in the relegation play-off zone, a point behind 12th-place Gladbach.

According to the statement by St. Pauli today, Tuesday, 10 March, Saliakas could be fit in time to host SC Freiburg on Sunday, 22 March.