Eintracht captain Rode to make squad return on Thursday
Eintracht Frankfurt head-coach Oliver Glasner confirmed that captain Sebastian Rode would make his squad comeback in tomorrow evening's Europa League fixture.
Since being named squad captain in summer training camp, 31-year-old midfielder Sebastian Rode has not yet had the chance to don the skipper's armband in a league fixture. Rode had to bow out with knee problems requiring surgery in mid August. After returning to team training two weeks ago, the veteran is now apparently fit enough for the bench squad.
"He has trained and is thus far doing well," SGE head-coach Oliver Glasner revealed in his Wednesday presser, "We're getting a very high quality alternative back."
Glasner made sure emphasize that a potential start for Rode against UEL opponents Olympiacos Piraeus would be "far too soon".
In Rode's absense, Matin Hinteregger and Makoto Hasebe have taken turns snapping on the captain's armband. It's also unclear if there may be a way back for Rode in midfield.
Glasner has constantly shifted tactics over the course of Frainkfurt's bumpy start to the campaign. The midfield double-six duo of Djibril Sow and Kristijan Jakic nevertheless appears a consistent part of the lineup that Glasner does not wish to tinker with.
Rode can play further back in defense as well and did occasionally work within a back-four last season.