Leverkusen updates: Xhaka passed fit for Heidenheim clash, Palacios still out
Granit Xhaka has been confirmed fit for Bayer Leverkusen's trip to Heidenheim. Exequiel Palacios, on the other hand, is not quite ready to return to action.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Granit Xhaka is available for Saturday's trip to Heidenheim.
The midfield pivot has shaken off a muscle problem and is fully fit.
"Everything is fine with Granit. He is ready for tomorrow," said Xabi Alonso at a press conference on Friday.
Exequiel Palacios, by contrast, is not quite ready to return from the muscle injury that has sidelined him for several weeks.
"Maybe it will be next week, but we want to be careful and not rush anything because of all the games," said Xabi Alonso, who will welcome Odilon Kossounou back into the squad after his Africa Cup of Nations triumph with Côte d'Ivoire.
"He arrived yesterday after a long flight. We only had time to congratulate him and celebrate. He's training again today, we'll see tomorrow," said Xabi Alonso when asked about Kossounou's chances of starting.