Borussia Dortmund’s Konstantinos Karetsas discharged from hospital, yet still out for Paderborn

Borussia Dortmund’s Konstantinos Karetsas discharged from hospital, yet still out for Paderborn Borussia Dortmund will be without Konstantinos Karetsas for Saturday’s Bundesliga home fixture against SC Paderborn as further examinations continue following the 18-year-old’s worrying withdrawal from Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Villarreal . Karetsas has since been released from hospital after suffering circulatory problems during Dortmund’s 3-2 win at the Westfalenstadion. The Greek international did not participate in team training on Thursday and will not be available for the weekend. Dortmund sporting director Ole Book has now confirmed that initial examinations have yet to establish a specific cause. “He is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances,” Book told the local Ruhr Nachrichten newspaper. “Further examinations are ongoing. We want to get to the bottom of this properly. The prognosis will then depend on that.” Book emphasized that Karetsas’ health remains the club’s overriding concern. While Karetsas’ mother Irena Kitsinis told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad that the episode appeared to have been related to dehydration, Dortmund have not yet established a definitive explanation for the problem. The youngster has consequently been ruled out of the Paderborn fixture, with no timetable currently available for his return. Dortmund remain cautious over Karetsas return Karetsas’ withdrawal against Villarreal caused considerable concern among his teammates and club officials. The summer signing sat down on the pitch during the first half before eventually being carried off on a stretcher. Dortmund subsequently confirmed that he had complained of circulatory problems before being transported to hospital. Managing director Lars Ricken later praised the squad’s response to seeing a teammate leave the pitch under uncertain circumstances, while Book acknowledged immediately after the match that the incident had caused concern throughout the club. Karetsas has since been discharged, providing Dortmund with some positive news, but the club have made clear that no return will be contemplated until the cause of the episode has been properly investigated. Head coach Niko Kovac confirmed ahead of Saturday’s match that Karetsas will not feature against Paderborn. His absence further reduces Dortmund’s options in the advanced midfield positions after fellow Greek international Giannis Konstantelias suffered a major ACL tear in the opening Bundesliga victory over Hamburger SV . Ethan Nwaneri, who replaced Karetsas against Villarreal, impressed after coming on and represents one of the alternatives available to Kovac this weekend. GGFN  |  Peter Weis