Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 7y

Hertha Berlin to rest John Brooks against Werder Bremen

United States international John Brooks is set to miss Hertha Berlin's home game against Werder Bremen on Saturday in an effort to avoid long-term injury.

Brooks, 23, is struggling with Achilles and back problems, and has missed training this week, with coach Pal Dardai preferring to rest him over risking a long-term injury.

The defender has been of the key players for Hertha Berlin this term helping them to third place in the Bundesliga, three points behind Bayern Munich and six behind leaders RB Leipzig.

However, he has struggled with minor injuries throughout the season, and Dardai has been happy to rest him when needed to avoid long-term problems.

"It makes no sense. It is better John rests for one match and is fit again after that. Just imagine we'd risk something and he'd then be sidelined for six weeks," Dardai said.

Other than Brooks, Dardai will have all of his players available when they host struggling Werder, but warned against complacency.

He said: "It's a very, very dangerous match. We should not underestimate them only because of their position in the standings."

This season, Hertha have won all six home matches, and collected a further nine points on their away trips.

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