Schaaf's tough choice: Akpala on hand

Who should I start, who should I leave out, who should even be in the squad? Werder head coach Thomas Schaaf has had a difficult choice in whom to nominate for games this season. With few very injured players, there are as many as 30 players on the training grounds with each position having a back-up. "With this large number of players I have to decide anew week by week. I would much rather have to decide than if there wasn't enough competition," said Schaaf.

And the Werder coach had to decide again after Friday afternoon's final training before the Hamburg match. He could nominate 18 players. Definitely on hand is Joseph Akpala. The Nigerian has been a Green-White for a week and he feels "great" along the banks of the Weser. And Schaaf praised the 26-year-old. "Joseph moves and tries to do his best. As a new player, it's certainly a bit easier to find your footing in attack. He will be there against Hamburg. We will have to see if he's already ready for the starting line-up," said Schaaf.

And Schaaf wants his team fully concentrated on the showdown with their north rivals. "We will do our own thing and try to implement our philosophy on Saturday. That's the only thing that matters," said Schaaf after the final session.

He also announced the 18 players chosen for the North Derby against Hamburg: Mielitz, Wolf - Lukimya, De Bruyne, Arnautovic, Fritz, Elia, Schmitz, Hunt, Prödl, Junuzovic, Ignjovski, Sokratis, Gebre Selassie, Petersen, Füllkrug, Bargfrede, Akpala.