FC KÖLN NEWS

Julian Chabot - On bench Sunday Chabot (ankle) made the bench for Sunday's match against Freiburg.

Impact Chabot recovered from an ankle injury for Thursday's UECL match against Nice and is now in the team sheet by the weekend. He started twice in the first four matches of the season and will hope to return as an option to rotate into the back line.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Timo Hubers - Can't play Sunday Hubers has to skip Sunday's match against Freiburg due to a "bruise" suffered Thursday against Nice.

Impact Hubers played the full 90 in Thursday's 2-2 draw with Nice but must have felt something after the match. Nikola Soldo will help out the defense in his place.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Hector - Out against Freiburg Hector has been ruled out for Sunday's match against Freiburg due to a foot injury.

Impact Hector will miss out Sunday's clash after dealing with a foot injury that also kept him out of Thursday's Europa Conference League match against FC Slovacko. The full-back has a chance to return as soon as Wednesday's derby against Leverkusen.

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jan Thielmann - Appears late in draw Thielmann (fitness) played five minutes during Thursday's two-all draw with Nice.

Impact Thielmann has been working on recovering his fitness over the past month after a serious illness sidelined him. The talented winger appears near to a Bundesliga return and could be back in the starting XI as soon as Sunday's trip to Freiburg.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ellyes Skhiri - Starting against Nice Skhiri (face) is in the starting XI for Thursday's Conference League clash with Nice.

Impact Skhiri was expected to return Thursday and did so, getting the start in defensive midfield. Skhiri should be a fixture in the starting XI if fit. Before the injury Skhiri had started and gone the full 90 in all 11 possible Bundesliga matches.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Hector - Withdraws from World Cup Hector (foot) has withdrawn from the German national team ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Marlon Irlbacher reports.

Impact Hector has made the choice to retire from international competition due to personal and injury-related reasons. The left-back was in line for a call up and potential starting role with David Raum struggling for form. Hector will hope to return to the Koln starting XI before the Winter break, though if he is unable to do so he now has two full months to recover from the foot injury.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Uth - Injured again Uth has picked up a new injury and won't be available in Thursday's UECL match against Nice, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Uth had made three substitute appearances in four league matches since returning from injury but has since picked up a new issue. This keeps Steffen Tigges and Linton Maina as the top options at striker.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jan Thielmann - Returns to fitness Thielmann (illness) is fit ahead of Thursday's UECL match against Nice, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Thielmann was unfit throughout October but now figures to get a chance or two before the World Cup break. He scored once and logged one assist across seven appearances (five starts) before his injury.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Julian Chabot - Able to play Chabot (ankle) has been declared fit ahead of Thursday's UECL match against Nice, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Chabot did well to return as he hasn't played in over two months. Now he just needs to make an appearance on the pitch to complete his comeback, once again becoming a starting option at center-back.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ellyes Skhiri - Available again Skhiri (face) is available ahead of Thursday's UECL match against Nice, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Skhiri should return to the lineup after missing just Sunday's draw with Hoffenheim. As a defensive-midfielder, his production has been solid with 36 tackles made in 11 starts, the third-highest total in the league.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Dietz - Suffers torn ACL Dietz suffered a torn ACL in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim, his club have announced.

Impact Dietz unfortunately is faced with the worst possible news following this injury. Now that Mark Uth is approaching full fitness, he can step up to fill the gap left by Dietz, who could be out at least six months and at most through the end of the season plus a month or two.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Four tackles Sunday Martel had four tackles (one won) and three interceptions in Sunday's 1-1 draw against 1899 Hoffenheim.

Impact Martel has slowly built a consistent role in central midfield, alongside Ondrej Dude and Ellyes Skhiri. Originally a rotational option it appears Martel could carve out a more substantial role as he continues to find his way into the starting XI. That said Martel has limited offensive upside in central midfield, and a tenuous hold on a starting spot, at best.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luca Kilian - Set for return Kilian is eligible to return from suspension for Sunday's trip to Freiburg.

Impact Kilian served a one-match ban against Hoffenheim but is eligible to return to the starting XI on Sunday. Kilian is a likely starter, having started each match before the suspension.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Schwabe - No saves in draw Schwabe made no saves and two clearances in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus 1899 Hoffenheim.

Impact Schwabe faced just the single shot Sunday and was unable to stop it. It was a quiet for Schwabe, who has made just three saves in his last four matches despite conceding 13 times in that span. Schwabe will hope to bounce back in a big way before the international break, with a fully fit Timo Horn a more than competent replacement on the bench.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benno Erik Schmitz - Creates two chances Schmitz had five crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 1-1 draw to 1899 Hoffenheim.

Impact Schmitz created two chances on five crosses as he finally found some volume. The right-back had struggled for consistency, but was given more room to work against an open Hoffenheim midfield. Schmitz has yet to get on the scoresheet, though his five assists in the 2021/22 campaign give some hope that he could bounce back in the latter portions of the campaign.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Dietz - Comes off in stoppage time Dietz subbed on in the second half before coming off injured in stoppage time during Sunday's 1-1 draw versus 1899 Hoffenheim.

Impact Dietz came on the pitch to see out the draw before a heavy tackle from Ozan Kabak sent Dietz to the dressing room. Kabak was sent off for the tackle, but that will be little consolation for Dietz, who had to be helped off the pitch. Dietz has largely fallen out of the starting XI, with his last start coming on Sept 11. nonetheless he's been a consistent rotational option. Mark Uth would likely fill his role if he's set to miss the final games before the World Cup break.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Linton Maina - Returns with assist Maina assisted once to go with three shots (zero on goal), two crosses (one accurate), and one chance created in Sunday's 1-1 draw against 1899 Hoffenheim.

Impact Maina went down under a heavy challenge during Friday's Conference League match, but came back and provided an assist Sunday. The forward led the line alongside Florian Kainz, who he set up for the goal. Maina has four goal contributions in six starts, and has started five straight Bundesliga clashes, perhaps offering the solution to Koln's woes at striker.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Kainz - Scores in draw Kainz scored one goal to go with four shots (three on goal), 15 crosses (four accurate), and five corners in Sunday's 1-1 draw to 1899 Hoffenheim.

Impact Kainz surpassed his total from the 2021/22 campaign in just his 10th start of the 2022/23 season. The forward scored his fifth goal, tying his career-high, while already sitting on four assists. The Koln offense seems to be comfortable running through Kainz, who has been consistently productive, with 21 chances created and 25 shots in 11 appearances. Kainz remains a strong option in all formats with his nose for goal, and excellent volume.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ellyes Skhiri - Out against Hoffenheim Skhiri (undisclosed) is not in Koln's match day squad for Sunday's clash against Hoffenheim.

Impact Skhiri picked up a knock during the week and is not fit for Sunday's match. Eric Martel and Ondrej Duda are starting in midfield in his absence.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Uth - On bench against Hoffenheim Uth (illness) is in Koln's match day squad for Sunday's clash against Hoffenheim.

Impact Uth was questionable for Sunday's game due to an illness, but he has been deemed fit enough to make the squad and could see some playing time off the bench.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Linton Maina - Starting against Hoffenheim Maina (leg) is in Koln's starting lineup for Sunday's clash against Hoffenheim.

Impact Maina was a doubt for Sunday's game after suffering a leg injury in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, but he has been deemed fit enough to return to the XI against Hoffenheim.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Linton Maina - Heavy doubt Sunday Maina (leg) is a heavy doubt for Sunday's clash with Hoffenheim, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Maina came on as a sub in the Conference League match with Slovacko before a heavy challenge left him unable to continue. The midfielder has been seeing consistent starting time on the wing and as striker, but could now be set for a spell on the timeline. Baumgart was uncertain if Maina would be able to return before the World Cup, depending on the result of tests on his leg.

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ellyes Skhiri - Status unclear Sunday Skhiri (undisclosed) is a doubt for Sunday's clash with Hoffenheim due to injury, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Skhiri's status is up in the air after picking up a knock. The midfielder is a true game-time call, with the hope being he can return in some capacity in defensive midfield. Skhiri has started and gone 90 minutes in every Bundesliga match, making him tough to replace if unable to go Sunday.

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Uth - Uncertain Sunday Uth (illness) will be a game-time call for Sunday's clash with Hoffenheim, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Uth was unavailable against Slovacko in the Conference League due to illness and is recovering away from the team in Koln. The forward has been a lightly used option since returning to the first team, with just two short cameo appearances and two matches as an unused substitute.

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Hector - On bench against Slovacko Hector (undisclosed) is on the bench for Friday's Conference League clash with Slovacko, but is out against Hoffenheim.

Impact Hector is on the bench Friday in the Conference League. Manager Steffen Baumgart explained he was on the bench but has yet to return to training and will miss a Sunday clash with Hoffenheim. Kristian Pedersen is likely the replacement at left-back, though he has been dealing with his own injury woes, potentially forcing a change of formation for Koln.

OCTOBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE