Leverkusen boosted by Tah's return against Gladbach

The defender missed Leverkusen's midweek win over Mainz due to illness, the first time he has not played for them in the Bundesliga this season. Xabi Alonso's side stretched their winning run to seven matches in the competition, the longest current streak in the league.

However, the defender received the all-clear to be back in the starting line-up this weekend.

Boniface, meanwhile, is still not fully fit, with Alonso acknowledging this game has come a bit too early for the striker.

The 24-year-old sustained a hamstring injury in November after returning from international duty with Nigeria and has not featured for the reigning Bundesliga champions since.

Before the setback, Boniface had scored eight goals from 15 games in all competitions for Leverkusen this season, following up his 14-goal return in the league last term when he finished as top scorer while helping Leverkusen to secure their first Bundesliga title.

"His [Boniface's] development is good. He trained a bit, but he is not in the squad [for Saturday]," Alonso said in his press conference.

"He needs time to train and get fit, but his development is good."

Home again! pic.twitter.com/G7H8XB7Oxf

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Leverkusen, who take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League next week before facing RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, are currently second in the league on 38 points, four behind leaders Bayern Munich.

"There is a chance [for Boniface to play next week]," Alonso added. "We will see, we have to wait.

"His feeling is good. For tomorrow it is still a bit too early, but for next week, yes, there is a chance."

Gladbach have not won any of their last 10 matches against Leverkusen in the Bundesliga (D2 L8), though their only two points in that run came in their last two trips to the BayArena.