There is a hell of a lot at stake when VfL Wolfsburg host Hertha BSC on Saturday. The home side will be hoping for the return of their recent COVID-19 absentees.
On 30 December it was, VfL Wolfsburg had certainty. Dodi Lukebakio had returned from holiday with a COVID-19 infection, the Belgian had to go straight into quarantine. And could now return in time for the game against former club Hertha BSC, who loaned the offensive man to VfL in the summer.
The hope is that Lukebakio may be back on the training pitch as early as Wednesday, with the 24-year-old reported to have tested “negative”. Aster Vranckx, who has also been in quarantine, could also be back. “They are doing very well and have been for a few days,” reported coach Florian Kohfeldt, who would be too happy to welcome two more alternatives to the squad.
What about form?
Although it would be questionable in what condition the duo would return. Vranckx had already had to miss out with back problems before his infection, Lukebakio has now been out of team training for weeks. A starting appearance would hardly be possible, at best he could be used as a wild card against the club with whom he is still under contract until 2024.
Given the situation of the two teams, who are separated by just one point in the bottom of the table, it would be an explosive move. After all, Lukebakio was desperate to leave Berlin in the summer – after scoring a penalty against his future club in the first leg of the 2-1 defeat to VfL.
He is not yet comfortable with a return to the capital. “My focus is fully on Wolfsburg this year,” he said a few weeks ago, “then we’ll see.” For now, anyway, it’s all about getting back on the pitch for the attacker.
