FC KÖLN NEWS

Eric Martel - Starting against Leverkusen Martel is fit and in the starting XI to face Leverkusen on Sunday.

Impact Martel returns from an Achilles injury which has kept him out of Koln's last three matches. The midfielder had started three times prior to the injury and recovers his role in the starting XI now that he's fully fit.

OCTOBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Linton Maina - Out for derby Maina is not in the match day squad to face Leverkusen on Sunday.

Impact Maina misses out on Sunday's match after suffering a back injury in the buildup. The midfielder had started four straight matches for Koln with Faride Alidou taking over his spot in the starting XI.

OCTOBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Participates in full training Martel (Achilles) returned to full training Friday, according to manager Steffen Baumgart. "Eric Martel have trained fully and things are looking good".

Impact It could be a long shot for Martel to be ready to play Sunday, but he has trained fully with the team and could be a late call against Bayer Leverkusen. He's missed the last three matches with an Achilles injury after starting the first three games from the defensive midfield. Denis Huseinbasic is still expected to start for the time being until Martel returns to full match form.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luca Waldschmidt - Still dealing with illness Waldschmidt was not in training Wednesday with an illness as his status for Sunday's match against Bayern Leverkusen remains unclear, confirmed manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Waldschmidt has not returned to training as he deals with an illness. He has started four of the last six matches played with a goal on the season.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Linton Maina - Questionable with back pain Maina (back) is questionable for Sunday's match against Bayer Leverkusen, according to manager Steffen Baumgart. "Linton Maina went out because of his back. We'll see how it works...

Impact Maina has been dealing with back pain and will be a late call for Sunday's match. He's started the last four matches in a row, recording six chances with 16 crosses (one accurate) in that span.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Limited training participant Martel (Achilles) completed portions of first-team training ahead of Sunday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact Martel continues to work his way back toward a return versus Monchengladbach after the upcoming international break. Given his extended absence, the midfielder shouldn't be expected to immediately jump into the starting XI. Still, Martel featured in 26 of his last 32 Bundesliga appearances for the club and should be in contention once given the all-clear.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mathias Olesen - Training with squad Olesen (undisclosed) participated in team training for the first time Tuesday in the lead-up to Sunday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact Olesen has missed the club's previous three matches due to his undisclosed injury but could be getting closer to a return to action. Prior to his absence, the midfielder featured exclusively off the bench, logging a combined 77 minutes in three appearances in which he registered one shot (off target), two interceptions and two clearances. Even if cleared to play Sunday, Olesen figures to remain primarily a substitute option.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leart Paqarada - Registers most crosses Paqarada had one shot (one on goal), 10 crosses (one accurate) and five corners in Saturday's 2-0 loss against VfB Stuttgart.

Impact Paqarada created one big chance in the match. He also made three tackles and two clearances. He has started all games this season and has made a total of 12 tackles, 10 clearances and three interceptions.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Schwabe - Concedes two to VfB Stuttgart Schwabe had two saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 2-0 loss versus VfB Stuttgart.

Impact Schwabe made two saves and one clearance but conceded to Deniz Undav in the 68th and the 88th minute. He has played all six games this season and has also made 14 saves but is yet to keep a clean sheet.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Dietz - Expected to play with U21 side Dietz (knee) is expected to get some playing time with the U21 side before he could be an option for the team again, confirmed manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Dietz could play in at least two matches with the U21 side following his recovery from ACL surgery. This means that the forward could return to the squad after the international break. He had started just four matches in 11 appearances last season before going down on injury last October.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Uth - Expected to play for U21's Uth (thigh) is expected to get some minutes with the U21 side before returning to the squad, confirmed manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Uth could return as soon as Oct 8 as long as there aren't any further setback to his thigh injury. He has yet to make his season debut after appearing in just three matches during the 2022/23 campaign,

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Expected to play Saturday Martel (Achilles) is expected to be an option for Saturday's match versus Stuttgart. "Eric was treated in Augsburg. We gave him the opportunity to clear his head. Now he's coming b...

Impact Martel was forced to sit out the last two matches with an Achilles injury. It is unclear if he would be ready to start the match, with Denis Huseinbasic the favorite for the spot in the lineup against Stuttgart in the defensive midfield alongside Dejan Ljubicic.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Uth - Nearing return Uth (thigh) was training with the team ahead of Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Uth should be back on the field anytime now after training for the past month while he recovers from a thigh injury. He coud very well be an option for Saturday if deemed fit. If the forward is healthy enough to play, he will most likely be an option off the bench after dealing with the injury for so long.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Dietz - Trains with team Dietz (knee) was a part of team training ahead of Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Dietz is getting very close to a return after taking part in training for the second straight week. It has almost been a year since the forward tore his ACL or has had any action on the field. He should be very close to full health now and should be making his return against Stuttgart this week or Leverkusen next week. When he does return, he will probably be worked out as an option off the bench before he gets rushed into a starting spot.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jan Thielmann - Starts rehab process Thielmann (strain) started his rehabilitation process on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Thielmann has been sidelined since July with a strain and is finally starting his rehabilitation process after being in training on Tuesday. The midfielder is probably still a decent ways away from a return after only returning to training this week and most likely will be missing this Saturday's match. His earliest chance at a return should be next week against Leverkusen, and when he does return, it will probably only be as a bench player.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mathias Olesen - Starts individual training Olesen (undisclosed) started individual training ahead of Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Olesen is back on the training pitch after taking part in individual training on Tuesday. It was the midfielder's first day back in training since picking up the undisclosed injury. Based on his current timeline, it will be a long shot for him to play this weekend, and he will most likely have his best chance of returning to play in two weeks against Leverkusen.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Noah Katterbach - Continues rehabilitation Katterbach (knee) continues to take part in training ahead of Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Katterbach was in training once again as he recovers from ACL surgery he went through at the end of last season. The defender has been back in training for three weeks now and should be making his return to the pitch soon. When he does return, he will most likely have to fight for minutes after only being a rotational player last season and will only be an option off the bench for the first few matches.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Trains individually Martel (Achilles) is inching towards a return after training individually ahead of Saturday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Martel is getting closer to a return after being deemed fit enough to train individually on Tuesday. The midfielder missed the last match due to an apparent Achilles injury and will be in risk of missing another if he isn't fit by Saturday. If he cannot go against Stuttgart, then expect Dejan Ljubicic or Florian Kainz to fill in his starting spot.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Damion Downs - Sidelined with illness Downs did not participate in training ahead of Saturday's match with Stuttgart due to an illness.

Impact Downs is currently being evaluated after being ruled out of training due to an illness. He has only seen seven minutes on the field this season so the injury shouldn't shake up too much within the lineup. If he is healthy by Saturday he most likely won't even play, and will only be an option off the bench.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Schwabe - Struggles continue Schwabe made four saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 2-1 loss versus Werder Bremen.

Impact Schwabe has made 12 saves in five matches and already conceded nine goals. It's been a dreadful start to 2023/24 and the goalkeeper has struggled behind a lackluster defense. It's hard to say whether the blame falls on Schwabe or the defense but Schwabe has certainly worn the bad results.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leart Paqarada - Busy in loss Paqarada recorded seven crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 2-1 defeat versus Werder Bremen.

Impact Paqarada had major volume yet again but still awaits his first Bundesliga goal contribution. The full-back is up to 32 crosses in five matches and has contributed just six chances created with that volume. Paqarada is the clear top choice at left-back and will keep this role as long as he is fit and available.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Kainz - Five chances created Kainz generated two shots (zero on goal), eight crosses (three accurate) and five corners in Saturday's 2-1 loss versus Werder Bremen.

Impact Kainz created five chances and shot twice during Saturday's loss. The forward has still yet to provide an assist despite creating 10 chances in five matches and has scored just once. The Koln offense has been dreadful as a whole, leaving a major concern for where any sort of goal-scoring upside will come from for Kainz.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Davie Selke - Scores again Selke scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 defeat versus Werder Bremen.

Impact Selke is putting together a surprising run of good form with his second goal in as many matches. The striker isn't a major threat for significant goal contributions despite taking a leading role in the attack. Selke appears to be the top choice early in the season, but has put just three shots on goal.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Dietz - Returns to practice pitch Dietz joined team training on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's match against Werder Bremen.

Impact Dietz was back on the training field, practicing with the team on Tuesday. This is Dietz's first time taking part in team training since picking up the knee injury this off-season. It would be surprising to see him take part in Saturday's game against Werder Bremen, but he could be an option once again after that match.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Uth - Joins team training Uth was back in training Tuesday ahead of Saturday's match against Werder Bremen.

Impact Uth was back on the training grounds after returning to team practice on Tuesday. He is yet to make an appearance this season due to a thigh injury he picked up during the offseason. He could be an option against Werder Bremen after joining training but most likely will not be rushed into action and instead will get his first option at playtime against Stuttgart.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE