

Nico Schlotterbeck has taken a big step toward his comeback, completing parts of team training on Wednesday after five months out with a meniscus injury. The Borussia Dortmund defender had originally set October as his target return date, but according to Ruhr Nachrichten, he could be back in late September if his recovery stays on track.
His absence, along with Filippo Mane’s suspension and injuries to Niklas Süle and Emre Can, leaves Dortmund short in defence. As a result, summer signing Aarón Anselmino is expected to start against Heidenheim in a back three with Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini. Süle is not due back until mid-October. Meanwhile, several players who were with the Germany camp – Maximilian Beier, Anton, Karim Adeyemi, and Pascal Groß – also rejoined training, boosting preparations for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash.