Karetsas suffers fresh ankle injury as Dortmund's recovery hopes take another blow

Fresh setback for Karetsas

Borussia Dortmund face fresh injury concerns surrounding Greek international Konstantinos Karetsas following Saturday afternoon's goalless Bundesliga draw away at Union Berlin. The 18-year-old, who has only recently returned to action following a worrying medical episode in September, suffered an apparent ankle injury just eight minutes after entering the match as a substitute.

Karetsas was attempting to shield the ball from Union midfielder Rani Khedira inside Dortmund's penalty area when he awkwardly twisted his right ankle. The attacking midfielder immediately went down in pain, prompting teammate Nico Schlotterbeck to signal for another substitution. Karetsas subsequently required assistance from the club's medical staff as he limped off the pitch.

According to Kicker, the precise nature and severity of the injury remained unclear immediately after the final whistle. Dortmund must now await further examinations to determine whether another spell on the sidelines will be necessary.

Kovac explains the recovery struggle

Speaking to Sky Germany before Saturday's match, Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac had already explained why Karetsas would begin the afternoon on the substitutes' bench. "I'm watching the lad, and he's not yet where he was before," Kovac acknowledged.

Kovac was referring to the frightening incident during September's Champions League victory over Villarreal, when Karetsas collapsed after experiencing circulatory problems and required hospital treatment. The summer signing was subsequently discharged from hospital, although further medical examinations were necessary before Dortmund could contemplate his return.

"We can all still remember what happened when Kostas collapsed during the Champions League match. I think that's still in the back of his mind. We can't disregard that."

Kovac nevertheless stressed that he could not definitively identify the episode as the reason behind Karetsas' difficulties in returning to his previous level. "I don't want to say that's the reason, but it certainly plays a small role in the back of his mind," Kovac continued. "That's why we shouldn't demand too much. The lad will find his way. I'm convinced of that. We all are."

Karetsas had made only one start since the Villarreal incident, featuring for 60 minutes in Wednesday evening's 1-0 Champions League defeat against Bodø/Glimt. His other recent Bundesliga appearances had come from the bench. Saturday's injury therefore represents another particularly frustrating interruption to an already complicated start to the campaign.

Greek attacking options under strain

The potential absence of Karetsas would further complicate Dortmund's attacking personnel situation. Fellow Greek international Giannis Konstantelias, who arrived from PAOK Thessaloniki during the summer transfer window, has already been ruled out for several months after suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury against Hamburger SV on the opening Bundesliga matchday.

The 23-year-old had impressed immediately following his arrival, scoring his first Bundesliga goal in the same match before suffering the setback. Dortmund subsequently moved to reinforce their attacking options by securing Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri on a season-long loan, partly to compensate for Konstantelias' long-term absence.

Karetsas, meanwhile, had been one of Dortmund's most exciting performers during preseason and the opening Bundesliga fixtures. He earned Get German Football News' Player of the Match honours during the opening 2-0 victory over Hamburg, registering a goal contribution and repeatedly troubling the opposition defence.

For now, Dortmund will hope that his latest injury proves less serious than initially feared. With Konstantelias already unavailable, another lengthy absence for Karetsas would deprive Kovac of both Greek attacking talents acquired during the summer. More importantly, it would represent another significant setback for a teenager whose health and careful reintegration have already become major considerations during the opening months of his Dortmund career.