Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso on Friday confirmed that midfielder Florian Wirtz, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, will return ‘earlier than expected’, Afrosport reports.
Wirtz sustained the ankle injury in a 2-0 loss to Werder Bremen in early March and was not expected to return until late April.
Alonso, however, told reporters at his pre-match conference that the 21-year-old was set to return to the squad next week for their home match against Union Berlin.
“Flo [Florian Wirtz] is partially taking part in training today, a small part of team training,” the former Spain international said. “The plan, if all goes well, is for him to be in the squad for next week, but not for tomorrow.
“It’s earlier than we expected. He worked hard with our team. We’ll see next week. We’ll talk again next Friday.”
Back in the Flo!
pic.twitter.com/bNjFS8HjO9
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) April 4, 2025
With Wirtz out injured, Leverkusen have been eliminated from the Champions League by rivals Bayern Munich and the German Cup by third-division side Arminia Bielefield.
The Bundesliga champions, with 59 points, currently sit six points behind league leaders Bayern in the standings, and Saturday’s trip to Heidenheim is a must-win for Leverkusen if they are to keep the pressure on the Bavarians with seven matches left to play.
