4/8/2006
hsv.de

As usual, coach Thomas Doll opened Thursday’s press conference with injury news. HSV plays Borussia Mönchengladbach in round 29 of the Bundesliga on Sunday (9.4.06, kick off 5.30 pm), in front of a 56,000 sell out crowd in the AOL Arena. Doll revealed that his Swiss defensive midfielder Raphael Wicky will not play because of injury, but that Mehdi Mahdavikia is fit again, following "sterling work" by the HSV medical team.

Keeping mum

Thomas Doll would not be drawn on which system he will opt for ahead of the visit of Gladbach: "I can imagine that everyone wants to know the answer to that question and all I can say is that I am still mulling over my options and will tell my players first.We want to build on Schalke victory", said the 39 year old, who celebrates his 40th birthday on Sunday. Doll could opt for a 4-4-2 system with a diamond formation in midfield, or choose to field three strikers: "I have several options at my disposal and I know that our strikers are in top form. Toni Ailton has recently proved that he is on the right track ", praised the coach. Ailton scored in the games against Dortmund and Schalke.