Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp faces an injury crisis ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-Bundesliga clash with FC Bayern München after Marcel Schmelzer and Mats Hummels returned from international duty injured.
Out-of-contract Manuel Friedrich, whom Klopp knows from their time together at 1. FSV Mainz 05, had been on trial at Dortmund with a view to covering for this kind of eventuality. However, the 34-year-old is also sidelined after injuring his left knee in a 2-1 friendly defeat by second-tier SC Paderborn 07 on Tuesday.Centre-back Hummels tore ligaments in his right heel during Germany's 1-0 win against England on Tuesday and will be absent until January, while left-back Schmelzer begins a three-week lay-off after tearing muscle fibres in his left calf at Wembley. Neven Subotić was recently ruled out for at least six months after damaging cruciate ligaments in his knee, meaning three of Dortmund's regular back four are missing for Saturday night's visit of leaders Bayern.
Second in the Bundesliga, Dortmund lie third in UEFA Champions League Group F going into their home game against SSC Napoli next week, with a trip to Olympique de Marseille to follow on matchday six.
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