Leipzig's Werner back training after injury 'catastrophe'

Germany striker Timo Werner returned to training with Bundesliga high-fliers RB Leipzig on Tuesday, less than a week after tearing a thigh muscle while making his debut for the world champions.

Werner, 21, hurt his left thigh in last Wednesday's 1-0 home win against England, which RB coach Ralph Hasenhuettl labelled a "catastrophe" as his club prepare to play three games in seven days.
But Werner completed a 30-minute training run
on Tuesday, then finished with some sprints, before signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans.

Nevertheless, Hasenhuettl says Werner still needs time to recover as second-placed Leipzig prepare for Saturday's home match against bottom side Darmstadt following two successive league defeats.
"It was just a bit of work to activate the muscle, the fact he can do some light running is normal," said Hasenhuettl.

"We already know that it will probably take some time. We are just doing what we can."
With 14 league goals this season, Werner is Leipzig's top scorer and RB need the forward back soon with league games at Mainz on April 5 and then at home to Bayer Leverkusen three days later.
Hasenhuettl did have some good news as Danish striker Yussuf Poulsen and Guinea midfielder Naby Keita both returned to training.

The Darmstadt game is too soon for Poulsen, who injured his leg in a shock 3-0 defeat to Hamburg on February 11, but Keita should start after collapsing following the loss to Wolfsburg a fortnight ago.

Leipzig are 13 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich in Germany's top flight, but Hasenhuettl says the priority is getting back to winning ways after taking just seven points from their previous seven league games.

"We go into this week well recuperated, you can tell the players appreciated a few days off and used the few free days, they are much fresher in the head," said the RB coach.