Gladbach lose Kevin Diks for Stuttgart trip as defensive options dwindle

Gladbach forced into another defensive reshuffle

Borussia Mönchengladbach will be without Kevin Diks for Friday night’s Bundesliga visit to VfB Stuttgart after the centre-back became unavailable for personal reasons. The club confirmed to Bild that the absence is not injury-related.

Borussia Mönchengladbach face a defensive setback ahead of their match against Stuttgart

Diks could be back as soon as Tuesday, when Gladbach are scheduled to face Karlsruher SC in the DFB-Pokal. His absence leaves the squad with just one fit natural centre-back, Fabio Chiarodia. Kō Itakura is sidelined with a muscle tear, while Jan Leszczynski is out with a knee sprain.

Should coach Alexander Blessin retain a back three, Daiki Hashioka and Philipp Sander could join Chiarodia in central defence. Switching to a back four is another option as Gladbach attempt to cope with their depleted resources. The club arrive at the fixture bottom of the Bundesliga table, having lost their opening six league matches.