Klopp confident in Reus return

Jurgen Klopp expects Marco Reus to return when in-form Borussia Dortmund travel to Bundesliga strugglers Hamburg on Saturday.

The Germany attacker has missed Dortmund’s last two games after tearing a thigh muscle in the 5-1 hammering of Werder Bremen earlier this month.

Klopp revealed at a press conference on Thursday that Reus is set to feature in Mirko Slomka’s first game in charge of Hamburg.

“Marco Reus was able to give 100 per cent in training and looked good. He should be fit to play,” said the Dortmund coach.

Klopp’s side travel to Imtech Arena in fine form, having won their last four matches to put the heat on Bayer Leverkusen for second spot in the league as well as reaching the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal.

Beleaguered Hamburg parted company with Bert van Marwijk after suffering a seventh consecutive Bundesliga defeat at Eintracht Braunschweig last weekend and was no time in appointing Slomka as his successor.

Klopp expects Hamburg to be a different proposition under the former Hannover coach, but the charismatic 46-year-old is determined to deny Slomka a winning start.

He said: “We can’t go to Hamburg with our new-found confidence expecting to face a weak opponent.

“We’ll have to see how they set themselves up, but ultimately we’ve got perform to our capabilities.

“We need to work hard. We can’t underestimate Hamburg. They’ve got a fresh start under Mirko Slomka.

“It’s not the first time a team has changed management right before facing us.

“Slomka has spent time with his squad and if they buy into him then it’ll be like a fresh start. The relegation battle has started for some sides. So I’m expecting a fight in Hamburg.

“Hamburg will be special and have a special atmosphere, they will celebrate every tackle. Hamburg don’t need any sympathy from us, but they won’t get any from us either.”

Klopp revealed that defender Mats Hummels (ankle) is doubtful once again, while midfielder llkay Gundogan (back) is definitely out.