Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed the return of Nigerian center-forward Victor Boniface to the squad after spending some time on the sidelines, Soccernet.football reports.
Boniface had been sidelined with a thigh injury since November, leaving Alonso to rely on Czech Republic striker Patrick Schick in the absence of the Nigerian.
Speaking ahead of Leverkusen’s trip to the Red Bull Arena for their Bundesliga clash with RB Leipzig, Alonso confirmed the striker’s return to action.
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“Yes. He is in the squad,” the German boss told a press conference when asked whether Boniface could start on Saturday as quoted by Reuters.
The reigning Bundesliga champions have actually fared quite comfortably in the absence of Boniface. They currently sit 2nd on the league table, having gathered 41 points from 18 games. Just four points separate them from current leaders Bayern Munich.
Bayer Leverkusen are enjoying a winning run of eight consecutive victories in the Bundesliga to stay within touching distance of Bayern, who have proved to be the main threat to their league title defense.
“I have always said Bundesliga is the most important competition for us,” Alonso continued. “We are on a positive wave and we want to stay on it but it will be a tough game for us tomorrow playing away at Leipzig.”
Boniface was an integral part of Die Werkself’s immaculate Bundesliga and DFB POKAL triumph last season. He was also in fine form at the start of this season, notching 6 goals and 1 assist in ten appearances before getting sidelined with injury.
The 24-year-old will now be looking to force his way back into Alonso’s starting XI after seeing his early season momentum halted by that unfortunate setback.
