Blaszczykowski to miss Leverkusen clash

Jakub Blaszczykowski will sit out Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Bayer Leverkusen, while Ilkay Gundogan is a concern due to a thigh problem.

Borussia Dortmund will be without Jakub Blaszczykowski for their first Bundesliga game of the year against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, while fellow midfielder Ilkay Gundogan could also miss out.

Poland international Blaszczykowski has been laid low by a virus and will play no part for Jurgen Klopp’s struggling side at the BayArena this weekend.

Gundogan suffered a thigh injury in a 1-1 friendly draw against Fortuna Dusseldorf last Saturday and Dortmund coach Klopp will take no risks with the 24-year-old Germany international.

He said on Thursday: “We don’t want to create any pressure. He [Gundogan] will only be considered if he returns to training by tomorrow.

“He’s a doubt against Leverkusen, but certain to return against Augsburg [next Wednesday].”

Klopp has not decided whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will feature this weekend after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday following Gabon’s exit from the tournament.

“We’ll take a look and see if it makes any sense,” he said. 

Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa is set to be included in the squad after returning from Asian Cup duty.