Farès Chaïbi returns to Eintracht Frankfurt training after illness

Farès Chaïbi has returned to training with Eintracht Frankfurt after spending a week away because of illness, but his availability for Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Freiburg remains uncertain.

The Algeria international was back at Frankfurt’s training centre, although he did not yet join the rest of the first-team squad.

Instead, Chaïbi followed an individual programme designed around his current physical condition. His return is being managed gradually as he continues to recover from his illness.

The attacking midfielder’s status for Saturday’s meeting with SC Freiburg, which kicks off at 3:30 pm, is expected to be decided by the club’s medical and technical staff in the coming hours.

Chaïbi still has a chance of being included in the matchday squad, but his participation has not yet been confirmed.

Frankfurt coach Adi Hütter explained that the club had deliberately managed the player’s workload after a demanding period of training.

“We deliberately rested him because we’ve had much more intensive training sessions on the pitch these last two days ,” the Austrian manager explained to the media.

If Chaïbi is cleared to return to the squad, he will also face competition for a place in the starting line-up.

The 28-year-old will need to work his way back into the midfield picture, with Hütter making it clear that no player has been guaranteed a starting position.

The Frankfurt coach has been pleased with Chaïbi’s attitude and behaviour around the squad, but says those factors alone will not determine whether he starts.

“Everyone has a chance in this squad. I don’t want to close the door on anyone’s starting role. It’s always and above all a question of performance on the pitch ,” the Eagles’ coach reiterated.

That message means Chaïbi will have to compete for his place once he is fully fit. His gradual return to training gives him the possibility of featuring against Freiburg, but he will still need to demonstrate that he is ready to contribute.

Hütter also stressed the importance of competition within the squad when explaining his approach to team selection.

“I love internal competition, and it’s always the best players at the moment who will play ,” he concluded.

For Chaïbi, the immediate objective is to complete his recovery and regain his physical condition after missing a full week of training.

A place in the squad for Saturday remains possible, but his return to the starting XI is far from certain.

The Algerian will therefore have to wait for the final decision from Frankfurt’s medical and coaching staff before knowing whether he will be involved against Freiburg.

If he does make the matchday squad, Chaïbi could begin his return with limited playing time as he looks to establish himself again in a competitive midfield group.

For now, his return to the training pitch represents the first step after his illness, with the final decision on his involvement against Freiburg still to come.