Borussia Dortmund midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas has resumed individual training and is working toward a return to full team sessions, head coach Niko Kovac said.
Kovac gave the update to Sky Sports ahead of Dortmund's Bundesliga match against Paderborn, addressing the condition of the Greek international for the first time since he underwent hospital tests.
Karetsas suffered circulatory problems during Dortmund's Champions League match against Villarreal and was subsequently taken for medical examinations at a hospital as a result.
Kovac plays down concerns
Kovac said the examinations had not turned up anything unusual. He said that fortunately, nothing unusual had been found, according to Sky Sports.
The coach left open the possibility that Karetsas could be available for Dortmund's next match, against Stuttgart the following Saturday. He said that if everything developed as expected and Karetsas was able to train completely normally with the team, he would then be an option for selection.
Sky Sport Germany also reported the news on social media, saying Karetsas had resumed individual training after his circulatory problems from the Villarreal match and would return to the squad quickly, citing Kovac's comments ahead of the Paderborn fixture.
Karetsas watches from the stands
Karetsas was at the stadium to watch his teammates during the Paderborn match despite not being part of the matchday squad. His presence appeared to bring the team luck, as Dortmund won 3-0 to move to the top of the Bundesliga table.
Dortmund later published a photograph of the Greek international watching from the stands, captioned "Look who's here."
Karetsas is a Greek international who plays for Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany's most successful clubs and a regular fixture in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. Villarreal, the Spanish side Dortmund were facing when Karetsas fell ill, compete in La Liga.
Dortmund's next Bundesliga fixture is against Stuttgart next Saturday, when Kovac's decision on Karetsas's availability is expected to depend on whether he is able to train fully with the squad beforehand.
