Dortmund eye Karetsas comeback for Stuttgart clash

On the training ground at Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund’s sport director Lars Ricken watched as the club’s promising offensive youngster Konstantinos Karetsas prepared for a possible return (Rückkehr), hinting he could feature in the upcoming top match against VfB Stuttgart, with the team set to decide next week.

The next Bundesliga Spieltag pits Borussia Dortmund against VfB Stuttgart in a Topspiel that could shape early‑season momentum.

Ricken outlines training plan

"He will join training during the next week," said BVB‑Sport‑Geschäftsführer Lars Ricken before the third matchday against SC Paderborn 07. "Then we will see if he can already play against Stuttgart," he added, concluding with the confident "Wir werden schauen".

Karetsas was forced off early in a 3‑2 Champions League defeat to FC Villarreal earlier in the week after signalling problems without any opponent involvement.

Medical checks give green light

In the days that followed, Dortmund carried out thorough examinations. "We turned him upside down for three days," Ricken explained, adding that the tests revealed "no abnormalities" and no sign of dehydration.

The Greek international has already shown his value as an Offensivyoungster, scoring his first league goal in the 2‑0 win over Hamburger SV on the opening Spieltag, bolstering the case for a Karetsas‑Comeback.

Season optimism was tempered by the serious injury to his compatriot Giannis Konstantelias, who suffered a cruciate ligament rupture, a setback that has loomed over the squad.

Westfalen coach Niko Kovač told Sky, "If everything goes as we imagine and he can train again with the squad, he would be an option against VfB Stuttgart."

Should the young midfielder make his return, Dortmund will add depth to an already potent attack, a development that could prove decisive as the campaign unfolds.