Raffael boost for Mönchengladbach

VfL Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Raffael made a welcome return to training on Tuesday following more than two weeks out with a pulled muscle.

The Brazilian playmaker suffered a knock in the 2-1 loss away to FC Schalke 04 in mid-March. Thankfully he did not miss too much action due to the two-week international break, but was absent for the 5-0 thrashing of Hertha Berlin which came before last weekend’s 1-0 loss to FC Ingolstadt 04.

His return will be a big boost to the Mönchengladbach squad ahead of their match against Hannover 96 this weekend, which he is likely to play at least some part in as long as he remains pain free until then.

“I don’t have any pain and I feel great once again,” Raffael told the club’s website. “We’ll obviously have to see how things go in training this week and assess how my muscle responds to the strain, but I’m optimistic of playing again.”

The Foals are on a dreadful run away from home, having last won on the road in October last year with two draws and six losses away from Borussia Park since.

“It will be no easy task for us,” Raffael added. “But if we want to achieve our goals, only a win in Hannover will suffice.”

Despite their dismal form away from home, Mönchengladbach remain fifth in the Bundesliga table and are just three points behind Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the final Champions League place, so have it all to play for with five matches of the season remaining.