Borussia Dortmund are sweating over the fitness of their top goalscorer Erling Braut Haaland ahead of Thursday's DFB-Pokal final against RB Leipzig at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
The Norway striker sustained a muscle injury in BVB's recent league win against Wolfsburg, and subsequently missed Saturday's crucial 3-2 win against Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund manager Edin Terzic revealed in his post-match press conference that there had been a build-up of fluid in the region of Haaland's injury, "but the fluid is getting less and less," the 38-year-old added.
As such, it would be a surprise if Haaland remains on the sidelines for such a significant match, with Giovanni Reyna or Thorgan Hazard likely to drop to the bench in order to make way for the Golden Boy award winner.
Mahmoud Dahoud was prematurely substituted during the win against Leipzig due to a muscle issue of his own, but Terzic revealed that this was precautionary and the midfielder should be available to face Julian Nagelsmann's side once again.
However, Jude Bellingham is likely to replace Dahoud alongside Emre Can in midfield either way after the England youngster served a one-match suspension against Leipzig following his dismissal against Wolfsburg in BVB's previous league game.
Unlike Dahoud, Marwin Hitz will certainly not be so fortunate to be involved in Thursday's final after suffering an injury to his knee during the win against Leipzig. Roman Burki replaced his compatriot in goal at half time and will almost certainly do so from the start in Berlin.
Mateu Morey sustained a horrific knee injury in the semi-final win against Holstein Kiel and could be out of action for several months, so veteran Lukasz Piszczek is likely to continue to be preferred to Thomas Meunier at right-back.
Youssoufa Moukoko, Axel Witsel, Marcel Schmelzer and Dan-Axel Zagadou all remain sidelined, meanwhile, and are unlikely to feature again this season.
Dortmund possible starting line up: Burki; Piszczek, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro; Bellingham, Can; Reyna, Reus, Sancho; Haaland
> Click here to see how RB Leipzig may line up for this contest
Brett Curtis
