Lienhart fit as Freiburg look for piece of history at West Ham

DPA
·1 min read
Freiburgs Philipp Lienhart in action during UEFA Europa League Group A soccer match between SC Freiburg and TSC Backa Topola at TSC Backa Topola. Freiburg defender Philipp Lienhart is fit to return at West Ham United on Thursday as the Black Forest side attempt to reach the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time in the club's history. Tom Weller/dpa
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Freiburg defender Philipp Lienhart is fit to return at West Ham United on Thursday as the Black Forest side attempt to reach the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time in the club's history.

"Philipp Lienhart is back," coach Christian Streich told reporters on the eve of the Europa League round of 16 second leg in London.

After almost two months out following a groin operation, the Austria centre back will be back in the squad, but will only be able to play 20 to 30 minutes.

"But not from the start," added Streich, who said midfielder Noah Weißhaupt would be missing.

After the 1-0 win in the first leg in Freiburg, the Germans only need a draw at West Ham to progress having fallen at this hurdle last term against Juventus.

"We know that we can achieve something big. But we don't have to talk so much about it now, we have to do the work," explained midfielder Maximilian Eggestein.