Adeyemi in line for Dortmund return against Hoffenheim

Borussia Dortmund could be boosted by Karim Adeyemi's return to the starting line-up against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

The 22-year-old, who was an unused substitute in Dortmund's 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, has been out of action since sustaining a muscle injury in October.

Adeyemi made just five Bundesliga appearances before his injury, but still has the joint-most assists of any Dortmund player in the competition (three), while he also scored twice and created nine chances so far this term.

"Karim already wanted to play against Barcelona," Sahin told reporters. "He's training very well, he's very stable.

"He looks fresh and is definitely a candidate for the last two games of the year."

It's almost time pic.twitter.com/cIXrljeEV0

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) December 13, 2024

Sahin's side have been hit by injuries in recent weeks, with defenders Nico Schlotterback, Niklas Sule and Waldemar Anton currently out, while the head coach was unsure about the availability of Julian Ryerson, Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier.

"We still have to wait and see with Ryerson, Brandt and Beier," he added.

"We have our final training session tomorrow and will then decide who will start alongside Emre Can in central defence."

Dortmund currently sit sixth in the Bundesliga table with 21 points from 13 matches, their worst start to a league campaign in seven years. They trail leaders Bayern Munich by 12 points, having drawn their last two league outings 1-1.

With 19 points at the Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund are the Bundesliga's best home team this season – they have only been better off after seven top-flight home games in 2021-22 (21 points).

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, are still winless away from home in the competition this season, picking up just three points, though Sahin is still expecting a stiff test against the side sitting 14th in the table.

"We've completely analysed Hoffenheim. We know what we're up against... But now we're focussing on ourselves and our game," he said.