Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck returns to training
Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has returned to individual training after more than two months on the sidelines.
Schlotterbeck hasn't played a competitive match since 20 June, when he sustained a medial ankle ligament tear in Germany's second group-stage match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Côte d'Ivoire.
There is still no comeback date set for the influential centre-back, but being back in training represents a positive step in his recovery.
Schlotterback, 26, made 28 Bundesliga appearances as Dortmund finished runners-up last season, and signed a new deal in April to keep him at the club until summer 2031.
BVB started the 2026/27 campaign with a narrow loss to Bayern Munich in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, then beat Hamburg 2-0 in their Bundesliga opener and cruised past minnows HEBC in the DFB Cup first round.
Niko Kovač's side travel to Hoffenheim on Bundesliga Matchday 2, before hosting Spain's Villarreal in their opening fixture of the UEFA Champions League league phase on 8 September.
