Stevanovic tears knee ligament

Werder defender Sebastian Prödl returned to full team training today after he had come back to the training grounds a day earlier but was unable to work out with his teammates. The Austrian was back with the team after recovering from his thigh muscle injury. "Everything is okay again," said the centre back after a series of challenges with his teammate.

Prödl completed a running session with the ball yesterday and individual training drills in the afternoon. The 25-year-old remained pain-free, giving him the green light to participate in today's session.

Pedrag Stevanovic meanwhile had bad news as the Serbian tore a ligament in his left knee during the Werder U23 team's match against Lübeck. "I got kicked in the knee in a challenge. I didn't have any pain, but after the game I could feel that something wasn't right," said the 21-year-old, who was subbed out at halftime for Onel Hernandez.

The frustrating diagnosis came a day later. "That is really bitter. But I have to move on," said Stevanovic. "I will need a cast for at least 10 days and then have to begin my rehab program." Stevanovic's older brother also suffered a ligament injury to his left knee in February.