Back injury boost for Gundogan

Medics had initially struggled to determine the cause of the spinal pain the Germany international had been suffering from but, he says the problem is now "under control"

Borussia Dortmund have been boosted by the news that midfielder Ilkay Gundogan does not require back surgery and should therefore be fit to return to action after the upcoming international break.

With the club's medical team having initially struggled to locate the cause of the pain that the Germany international was experiencing, speculation in began to mount that the 22-year-old might end up requiring surgery.

However, Gundogan has now quashed those reports, telling Bild: "In terms of the rumour that I'm to be operated on, I know nothing about that, thank God! The back problem is pretty well under control.

"However, unless there is a miracle, I probably won't be available for the Frankfurt game [on Sunday].

"So, my new goal is to be back on the field just after the international break, against Hamburg [on September 14]."

Gundogan has not played since aggravating the injury during Germany's 3-3 draw with Paraguay earlier this month.