Wirtz in line for return against Union Berlin, confirms Rolfes

Simon Rolfes expects Florian Wirtz to make his long-awaited return from injury against Union Berlin this weekend.

With Florian Wirtz back in team training with Bayer Leverkusen after recovering from an ankle injury, the youngster should be able to make his long-awaited comeback against Union Berlin on Saturday.

“If nothing happens, he’ll be available for the weekend,” Bayer Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said after Tuesday’s training session, according to SID.

“Of course we are happy. He’s a special player, also for our team. That’s why we’re always happy when ‘Flo’ is on the pitch and scores goals,” Rolfes was quoted as saying by Kicker.

“I’m basically convinced that – with or without Flo – we’ll put in a different attacking performance at home and show a different quality compared to the last two games. But of course Flo is someone who can deal with special situations and has a big influence on our attacking quality. That’s why we are a better team with Flo.”

The big question is whether Wirtz is fit enough to make the starting lineup after more than four weeks out of action.

“We will see during this week of training,” Rolfes said.

“Basically, he’s someone who gets fit again very quickly. Now he has a whole week to adjust when it comes to making short movements and to get the feeling of stability back in his foot. That will help him – and then you’ll have to ask [Bayer 04 coach] Xabi [Alonso] on Friday…”