Mickel makes comeback as momentum builds for Nuremberg

He’s a key cog, not just in the dressing room, but throughout the Volksparkstadion, for his friendly and chatty manner to everyone who he comes across. And HSV ‘keeper Tom Mickel was in even better spirits than usual on Wednesday (6th January), despite the constant snowfall and freezing temperatures on the training pitches in the north-west of Hamburg. The reason for the 31-year-old’s sunny outlook was that he was able to fully re-join the rest of the squad in training after a four-week injury break, having injured his abdominal muscles at the end of November.

Long-term injury candidate Rick van Drongelen was also able to take part in the majority of the session, continuing to make speedy progress after suffering a torn ACL in the last match of the 2019/20 season against Sandhausen in June. The Dutchman had to sit out the game at the end of training to work with rehabilitation coach Sebastian Capel individually, but the strain on the 21-year-old’s right knee will be slowly increased over the coming weeks to see how his body reacts. Jan Gyamerah (torn ankle ligaments) and Klaus Gjasula (MCL knee tear) made a quartet alongside Amadou Onana (adductor niggles) with the Dutchman, all working hard to be back on the pitch soon.

After a day-off on Tuesday, the double session was as intense as usual, competition for places still high despite the injured quartet, as the morning was filled with technical aspects and attacking moves, followed by a five-a-side tournament after lunch. Training is focussed on the visit to 1. FC Nürnberg on Saturday (9th January, kick-off 1:00pm CET), and Tom Mickel’s trademark grin is likely to return if the Rothosen can carry on their winning streak away from home in Franconia.