Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has expressed optimism that Greek international winger Konstantinos Karetsas will return to action soon following his hospitalisation for a circulatory issue.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday ahead of Dortmund's upcoming home fixture against Paderborn on Saturday, September 12 at 16:30, Kovac provided an update on the 18-year-old international winger.
Karetsas was substituted and taken to hospital after experiencing medical distress during Dortmund's recent match against Spanish side Villarreal. Initial medical examinations indicated that the player suffered from a circulatory problem, with initial diagnostic tests also pointing to dehydration.
Kovac confirmed that he had already spoken directly with Karetsas and stated that the club hopes the winger will rejoin the squad in the near future.
Investigating second player hospitalisation
The Dortmund head coach was also questioned about youth player Jan-Luc Riedle, who was admitted to hospital just hours before Karetsas on the same day.
Riedle fell ill and experienced indisposition while playing for Borussia Dortmund's under-19 team during a match in the UEFA Youth League.
Addressing the two medical incidents occurring on the same day, Kovac described the situation as unusual for the German club.
He explained that team officials looked into whether Karetsas and Riedle had eaten the same food at any point prior to their matches, but confirmed that investigators found no connection between the two cases.
Match preparations and team context
Borussia Dortmund, based in North Rhine-Westphalia and often referred to as the Westphalians, are preparing to return to domestic league action at home against Paderborn on Saturday afternoon.
The fixture gives Kovac's squad an opportunity to focus on domestic performance while the club's medical staff monitor Karetsas' recovery timeline.
Karetsas, who plays as a winger for both Borussia Dortmund and the Greece national team, is regarded as one of the club's promising young talents. Kovac, a former Croatian international player and experienced manager who previously coached Bayern Munich and Monaco, took charge of Dortmund to guide the team in domestic and European competitions.
Player health protocols in European football
The UEFA Youth League is Europe's elite youth competition for under-19 club teams, structured alongside the UEFA Champions League tournament.
Medical teams across European football follow detailed diagnostic protocols when players exhibit symptoms of circulatory strain or severe dehydration during competitive fixtures.
Dortmund's medical team will continue monitoring both Karetsas and Riedle as they progress through their recovery before being cleared for full training duties.
