Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 8y

Hertha Berlin's John Brooks returns to training following spell on sidelines

Hertha Berlin defender John Brooks has resumed team training ahead of the club's away trip to Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Brooks, 23, picked up a minor injury last month ahead of United States' World Cup qualifying double-header against Guatemala. The Berlin-born player missed both games as a result, returning to Germany ahead of schedule with knee and shin problems.

This led to tension between the United States Soccer Federation and Hertha, while also having an impact on the Bundesliga club's defensive record.

Over the course of just two matches, Hertha conceded seven goals -- five at Borussia Monchengladbach and two at home to Hannover. In the previous 10 games, they had only conceded nine goals.

But on Monday, Brooks, who played the full 90 minutes in 16 consecutive matches before his injury, resumed team training at Hertha's training ground, along with Sebastian Langkamp, who complained of an ankle problem following the 2-2 draw with Hannover.

"Let's see how both cope with the workload. With a view to Saturday's match at Hoffenheim, we'll know more on Thursday," Hertha coach Pal Dardai told immerhertha.de.

The capital club go into the final few weeks of the Bundesliga season with plenty to play for, currently sitting third in the table with just five matches remaining, while they also host Borussia Dortmund next week in the DFB Pokal semifinals.

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