Borussia Dortmund receive injury boost after star defender returns to training

Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has taken to the training field for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 26-year-old centre-back suffered an injury in Germany’s second group game against Ivory Coast back in June. After the injury, his World Cup adventure ended, and he couldn’t take part in preseason or the opening games of the season for his club.

The club announced his return today and said he completed his first individual sessions with the ball.

Borussia Dortmund added reinforcement to the backline in the summer by signing 19-year-old French central defender Joane Gadou from Salzburg. He started in the 2-0 win against Hamburg in the Bundesliga game at the weekend. Niko Kovac opted to play Daniel Svensson at left center back in that game.

Schlotterbeck’s possible return is welcome news for the club, which started the season strongly with clean sheets both in the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal.

GGFN | Brook Genene