Dortmund striker Haller positive on recovery progress amid tumour treatment

Sebastien Haller has given a positive update on his tumour treatment, but the Borussia Dortmund striker says it will be “a few months” before he can consider a playing return.

His diagnosis followed a July move to the Bundesliga heavyweights, after a superb 2021-22 season with Ajax saw Haller finish as the Eredivisie’s top scorer.

Hopes of a flying start in Germany were checked after a testicular tumour was found, with the 28-year-old forced to step back from the field to undergo chemotherapy. Dortmund have since signed Anthony Modeste as back-up.

Former West Ham player Haller has said he is in good spirits and does not feel his body has been significantly affected since starting his course of treatment.

“I walk every day and check my body,” Haller told ESPN. “I haven’t lost that much after two weeks. I’m even at the same level as a few months ago. That’s a good sign and I hope it stays that way. I feel very well.”

Bsr tt le monde je tenais à vs informé que la 1er Étape a été accomplie!
Je tiens à remercié être le @BVB et l’équipe médical qui ont été exceptionnel ac moi. Un grand merci également à tt le personnel soignant de l’hôpital pour leur accompagnement – bienveillance #step1 pic.twitter.com/jr1G7ILYZI

— Sébastien Haller (@HallerSeb) July 21, 2022

The Ivory Coast international was reluctant to put a time-frame on his return to competitive football, saying: “Let’s just say now is not the best time to take that step, because it will take me a few months.

“The important thing is that I don’t lose too much muscle mass. I have to stay fit, and a month before I return on the field I will do some work with the ball again. Now the most important thing is that my body feels good.

“My first goal is to be back on the field, to play for [Dortmund] and score my first goal. That will be a beautiful and emotional moment.”

Dortmund have enjoyed a solid start to the new campaign in Haller’s absence, with three wins from four Bundesliga games, as they aim to mount another title challenge against holders Bayern Munich.