Oliver Burke could potentially lead Werder Bremen attack this weekend | OneFootball

Werder Bremen striker André Silva’s recent poor form for his loan club may have consequences. The RB Leipzig loanee missed a crucial penalty against SC Freiburg in last week’s Bundesliga humiliation. Silva then turned in an exceptionally poor performance in the even more humiliating Pokal defeat to third-tier-side DSC Arminia Bielefeld.

As Werder head coach Ole Werner scrambles to find answers for his club’s form crisis, a wave of illness breaking out in the club’s camp renders matters worse. Lead striker Marvin Ducksch and attacker Romano Schmid have already been ruled out of this weekend’s encounter. So, too, has captain Marco Friedl. Marco Grüll, Skelly Alvero and keeper Michael Zetterer are also questionable with illness.

Werner found himself in a combative mood at his Thursday press conference, insisting that he and his staff were working tirelessly to piece together the right XI against Wolfsburg. The Hanseaten have now lost four straight on-the-bounce and only won once in nine games since the turn of the calendar year.

Silva’s inability to contribute as hoped exacerbates the crisis. Werner can deploy either Justin Njinmah or Keke Topp alone up top, but both players are recovering from injury and have struggled with their form this season. This potentially leaves the door open for Scottish “super sub” Oliver Burke.

“As with many players at the moment, he lacks rhythm and confidence in his game,” Werner said of Silva. “The only thing that helps is time and work.“

“Burke had a good game in the second half [against Bielefeld],” said head coach Ole Werner at Thursday’s press conference. ”That’s why he’s also an option when we think about the weekend. We are aware of his strengths.

“He’s closer [to a start] than before,” Werner concluded. “We have to see if he can make good use of his strengths for us.”

GGFN | Peter Weis