Reus to miss Tottenham Champions League clash

Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus has been ruled out of the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday due to a thigh injury, the club has said.

Reus, who has 17 goals for Dortmund in all competitions and is the club’s leading scorer, injured his thigh during the German Cup defeat by Werder Bremen last week and missed the draw with Hoffenheim in the league at the weekend.

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“We would, of course, have liked to have him in London, because his presence is a bit intimidating for the opponent,” Dortmund official Sebastian Kehl told reporters. “But we’ll compensate for his absence.”

Jadon Sancho, the 18-year-old English winger who has eight goals and 10 assists in all competitions, is expected to take Reus’ place in the starting lineup.

Dortmund could also be without vice-captain Lukasz Piszczek, who picked up a knock in the 5-1 win over Hannover earlier this month.

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Although the right-back played in the 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim at the weekend, Ruhr Nachrichten reported that he could miss the trip to Wembley.

However, defender Dan-Axel Zagadou took a major step towards a comeback from injury after playing 60 minutes for the reserves at the weekend.

The draw with Hoffenheim means Dortmund have gone three games without a win for the first time this season, and have conceded six goals in their last two games.