Ze Roberto expresses doubt over return

(GSM) – Hamburger SV’s veteran midfielder Ze Roberto has expressed his doubts over his recovery from injury and return to first team-action.

The 35-year-old underwent ankle surgery in November but confesses he is still a long way from making a return to full training.

The former Bayern Munich man injured his ankle ligaments in the 2-2 draw with Hannover at the start of November and was expected back in the New Year.

Hamburg have struggled without the Brazilian and are currently on a run of seven games without a win.

The run of results has seen Bruno Labbadia’s side temporarily slip out of the title race and down into fifth, six points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

“My foot was put in plaster for three weeks then, afterwards I will be handed a special sort of shoe and then I will just be able to make some training,” Ze Roberto told Kicker.