Ihlas Bebou actually wanted to take off under his old coach, but now an old knee complaint is slowing him down.
The good news is: So far, Ihlas Bebou does not have to go under the knife again. For the time being, at least. “He will first be treated conservatively so that he can return to training soon without pain,” explained coach André Breitenreiter on Saturday, who had already trained Bebou in Hannover, “it’s difficult to give water status reports.” Still at the training camp in Kitzbühel, the striker had had to stop the normal programme and was also unable to take part in TSG’s tests. “It is bitter and unpleasant. The knee used to be a big issue with him, in the three years he has been with us he has come through well,” explained manager Alexander Rosen, “the hope is that it is an overreaction and not the old injury. “
Two times bad injuries had seriously jeopardised Bebou’s career. In 2013, while still with Fortuna Düsseldorf, the talent had suffered a fractured skull including a spinal cord injury in a header duel. The following year, Bebou had to undergo surgery due to severe cartilage damage in his right knee and had to take a long break. Now Dr. Ulrich Boenisch from Augsburg, the doctor who treated Bebou at the time, has also taken another look at the knee that was treated at the time. The conclusion of all the experts: Bebou should be given rest and physiotherapy to make him fit again. But if this treatment does not bring the hoped-for success and the knee continues to react, Bebou is threatened with the next operation.
At any rate, it is certain that the 28-year-old will miss the start of the season one way or another. Bebou has been out for too long, and the cautious rehabilitation phase will take too long before the Togo international striker can return to full fitness.
“I’m fine,” Bebou answered the question about his condition on Saturday, the renewed injury annoying and visibly weighing him down. “During the holidays he did too much running despite the pain. That wasn’t good for him, and he brought it with him into the preparation,” said Breitenreiter, describing the situation. “Now we have to give him time to heal up, so he’ll get a few more days and then he’ll be introduced slowly. All with an open outcome. “We’ll have to wait and see what the further course is.” Anything is possible between an early comeback and another operation.