Bremen confirm new injury setback for Pieper, Niemeyer conveys renewed skepticism over Keïta

After missing the majority of last season due to ankle surgery, Germany U21 defender and "Team D" Olympic representative Amos Pieper has suffered a thigh injury in training that left him unable to leave the pitch on his own power. The newly appointed head of professional football at Pieper's Bundesliga side SV Werder Bremen Peter Niemeyer issued a statement confirming the severity of the injury. 

“This is very, very bitter for Amos,” Peter Niemeyer noted on Wednesday afternoon ”After the long injury break towards the end of last season, he was really back in it at the start of preparation and performing very well. The injury means a break of several weeks. We will provide him with the best possible support in the renewed rehabilitation process.”

Niemeyer - speaking to German journalist Tim Lüddecke of Germany's preeminent footballing publication, Kicker Magazine - has also commented on the state of controversial transfer bust Naby Keïta. Hopes within the German club that Keïta might once again find his form in service of the Guinean national team during the Paris-hosted Olympics were high.Unfortunately, the 29-year-old was largely ineffective in two group stage appearances. 

Keïta withdrew from the final group stage fixture for the eliminated "Syli National" due to purported pain in his thigh during the warm up. Despite the fact that the Guinean FA claimed that their captain had incurred an injury, Niemeyer told Lüddecke that the attacking midfielder was not hurt. Niemeyer confirmed contact with the Keïta camp, strongly suggesting that club and player were working on a transfer. 

"We are in contact with those close to him about how things will continue for him over the next few days,” Niemeyer is quoted as saying by Lüddecke, "“We are all willing to find [a solution]. It could well be that he comes back here immediately. We will then discuss how things will proceed.”