BVB coach Edin Terzic put his players through their paces on the training pitch for over an hour on Friday morning. There was lots of running on the agenda, but footballs featured now and again throughout the session. A new arrival was absent.

Like the day before, players from the U23s and the U19s made up the numbers in training – the internationals are only set to return to Dortmund in mid-July. Felix Nmecha, who was signed at the start of the week, also could not take part in team training. “He came into pre-season carrying an ankle injury from last season. That will definitely last a few more days,” said Sebastian Kehl. The sporting director is hoping that Nmecha will be back on the pitch with his new team-mates next week. “He’s already running individually and working intensively.”

Due to his participation in the U21 European Championships, Youssoufa Moukoko is one of the players who has been granted an extended holiday. But the striker has been undergoing treatment at the Hohenbuschei training centre in recent days. “He would like to get started as soon as possible, but he’ll need a few more days,” explained Kehl. Karim Adeyemi also faces a wait to return to the training pitch due to the muscle injury he suffered in the final game of the season. But Kehl is in confident mood. “In the coming weeks, the squad will become bigger and grow together more. Then there will be a new competition for places.” (cr)