Gustav Berggren has started training with Lech Poznan, with the club set to provide a diagnosis on captain Mikael Ishak's injury on Tuesday. According to reports from Głos Wielkopolski, the Swedish midfielder, acquired from New York Red Bulls, joined the team's sessions on Monday, bolstering the midfield ahead of the decisive Europa League qualifying second leg.
What is the latest on Ishak's injury?
The club announced that details regarding Ishak's injury will be provided on Tuesday. The captain picked up the knock during the away match in the Faroe Islands against Klaksvik, a game Lech won 5:0 to secure group-stage European football. Beyond Ishak, Lech also has concerns over Filip Jagiełło and Leo Bengtsson, with the club promising updates on their status too. The current injury list can be followed on our injuries page.
Where does the new signing fit into the squad?
Berggren arrives match-fit, having been playing regularly in MLS prior to the move. His quick adaptation is important as Lech could be short-handed for Thursday's match. Yannick Agnero and Terry Yegbe travelled to Nigeria and Senegal last Monday for visa matters, and their availability for the upcoming fixture is in doubt. This creates an opportunity for the new arrival. The manager may also turn to other squad members, whose data is available in our stats section.
How has the opponent prepared?
Lech's opponent, Swiss side FC Thun, did not have a free weekend. They played a Swiss Cup match on Saturday, winning 6:0 against amateur side Saxon Sports. Despite the high score, the level of opposition was much lower, as Saxon Sports competes at the fifth tier in their country. For Lech, the decisive factor will be the two-legged tie with Thun, which determines whether they play in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League. The current qualifying group standings are on our standings page.
What does this mean for the upcoming fixtures?
Berggren's return to training is a positive sign for a squad dealing with several absences. Players who did not train on Sunday used the free weekend to relax. Mikael Ishak was seen at the Manchester United vs. Milan match in Wrocław, while Antoni Kozubal posted pictures relaxing at a lake near Poznań. The club must now assemble the best possible lineup for Thursday's clash, with a long autumn schedule ahead, the details of which are in our fixtures calendar.
