Good news for Borussia Dortmund: the club's injury problems did not worsen during the international break. All of the Black and Yellow's first team players returned to Dortmund in good condition, while two players with long-term injuries are also back to full fitness.

Erik Durm returned to training with the team three days ago. The world champion was forced to endure a two-month spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury sustained at the turn of the year, and has had flu more recently. The 22-year-old, who has only been on the pitch once since the winter break when he represented BVB II in the third division for just 62 minutes before complaining of pains, made the last of his 31 Bundesliga appearances in a 2-2 draw with VfL Wolfsburg on 17 December 2014.

Jürgen Klopp said: "Erik was either injured, not fit or ill. However, the problems that he had with his back are now under control. He has been training normally for three days." When asked whether he might even make the starting line-up for Saturday's clash with Bayern Munich in view of the club's injury woes at full-back, Klopp answered: "He's not in tip-top condition yet - that's only logical. But he's healthy, has trained and is ready to be called upon again."

Schmelzer returns to training too

Kevin Großkreutz has also completed his recovery. The defender, who has been sidelined for eight weeks with a muscle tear, made his comeback from injury with a goal for the U23 side on Tuesday. And Marcel Schmelzer is available for selection after sustaining torn muscle fibres in this thigh during the club's 3-0 defeat to Juventus. "'Schmelle' has 100% proven his fitness," said Klopp, before adding: "Things went so well that he has now returned to full-team training.

However, the players to fill the two full-back berths on Saturday have not yet been named. The candidates for the right flank include Sokratis, the speedy "Kuba" or Großkreutz, while Sokratis, Durm, Schmelzer, Großkreutz or Dudziak could be called on at left-back. Klopp is arguably spoilt for choice.

"No time frame for Sahin"

Three players are set to miss the clash with Bayern, though: Lukasz Piszczek (partial tear of syndesmosis ligament), Oliver Kirch (pulled knee tendon) and Nuri Sahin (irritation of adductor tendon insertion). Following the latter's substitution in the 3-0 Ruhr derby win over Schalke four weeks ago, the problematic nature of an inflamed tendon means that there is currently no light at the end of the tunnel, as Klopp explained: "Nuri is undergoing normal treatment and therapy. Giving it a time frame won't help. I don't know how long it will be before he is fully fit again." (fu)