Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg absent as RB Leipzig resume training
There were two notable absentees as 2016/17 Bundesliga runners-up RB Leipzig returned to training on Tuesday, following a two-week break.
Leading scorer Timo Werner was missing through illness, while last season's assist king Emil Forsberg is still suffering from a stomach muscle injury sustained last month.
"He's not pain-free yet," said Leipzig head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl of Sweden international midfielder Forsberg. "He still needs time."
On the plus side, Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer was able to take part in the majority of Tuesday's session.
The 23-year-old, who has registered two goals and four assists in the Bundesliga so far this term, has been out of action since dislocating his left shoulder in Leipzig's UEFA Champions League win at Monaco on 21 November 2017.
"It's looking good for him," explained Hasenhüttl. "We're not throwing him into challenges just yet, but he can still do a lot."
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Hasenhüttl went on to reveal that left-back Marcel Halstenberg, who broke his right hand in three places after scoring in the Matchday 17 defeat to Hertha Berlin, should be available for Leipzig's opening fixture of the Rückrunde at home to second-placed Schalke on 13 January (kick-off 18:30CET/17:30GMT).
"Halsti will be back playing again in a couple of weeks, probably with a splint."
Leipzig currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga standings, albeit only two points behind Schalke. The Easterners also have a UEFA Europa League last-32 tie with Serie A club Napoli to look forward to, after exiting their debut Champions League campaign at the group stage.