Weis nearing first-team return

A serious knee injury forced the 24-year-old into an unwelcome break at the start of the season, although an operation at the end of December appears to have cleared up the troublesome ailment. "I haven't had any problems since the operation," said Weis. "I'm delighted to be back playing football again."

Three weeks of recuperation in the Bavarian town of Donaustauf seems to have done the trick for Weis, who worked tirelessly for ten hours a day to facilitate his return to Bundesliga action. After returning to training a week ago, the reliable defender has been working hard with fitness coach Christof Elser, and now Weis is hoping to join his team-mates for full training over the next few weeks. "I hope that I can get back to helping the team as soon as possible," added Weis with a smile as he continued his laps of the training ground.