2
Mainz 05 will be without Paul Nebel for the coming weeks after the 23-year-old suffered an adductor injury during the club’s training camp in Austria. Kicker reports that Nebel felt discomfort in his groin after taking a shot during Mainz’s final training session in Hopfgarten. Subsequent imaging following the squad’s return to Germany confirmed the adductor problem.
The midfielder is expected to miss the club’s competitive season opener against Oberliga side VfB Krieschow in the DFB-Pokal on August 23rd. His availability for Mainz’s opening Bundesliga fixture against newly-promoted SC Paderborn six days later is also now considered doubtful.
The setback comes at an unfortunate time for Nebel, who has been linked with a potential move away from Mainz this summer. The Germany U21 international established himself as an important first-team player following his return from a productive loan spell at Karlsruher SC and has since attracted attention beyond the MEWA Arena.
Mainz are also dealing with another injury setback from their Austrian training camp.
New signing Eric Martel suffered medial ligament damage in his right knee during the 1-0 friendly victory over Shabab Al-Ahli and is expected to remain unavailable into September. The two injuries leave Mainz with additional personnel concerns as they approach the beginning of the new Bundesliga campaign.
