Bayer Leverkusen have only the Bundesliga left if they want to win any silverware this season, and playmaker Florian Wirtz could be back next week to help them.
Coach Xabi Alonso told reporters on Friday that Wirtz "will take part in parts of today's team training" and that "the plan is to perhaps have him back in the squad next week, if all goes well."
German international Wirtz has been sidelined with an ankle injury for several weeks.
Leverkusen visit lowly Heidenheim on Saturday. and Wirtz could then return for the remaining six matches, starting with an April 12 match against Union Berlin.
Final Bundesliga push
Last year's league and Cup double winners Leverkusen trail leaders Bayern by six points in the Bundesliga, and suffered a shock Cup semi-final exit at third division Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday.
"We have to pick ourselves up and keep going. We want to show a reaction and have a good spirit tomorrow," Alonso said.
"Now we are only focussed on the Bundesliga. Hopefully we have the same reaction as after the Champions League exit when we played a good game against Stuttgart. We need this mentality tomorrow."
New goalkeeper?
The Bild paper meanwhile reported that Leverkusen are after Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia who could be first choice in the long run.
The report said current number one Lukas Hradecky, whose contract runs out next year, could help 23-year-old Garcia develop.
Matej Kovar, who has mainly played in Cup matches in place of Hradecky, could meanwhile leave in summer.
Bild said that Leeverkusen have also contacted Manchester City reserve keeper Stefan Ortega, who is contracted there until 2026. But the report said Ortega appeared to be plan B, with Garcia the preferred candidate for Alonso.
