Albert Sambi Lokonga ready to start again for HSV

Albert Sambi Lokonga believes he is fit enough to start for Hamburg when they face Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday and has made it clear he is pushing for a place in the XI.

The final call rests with head coach Merlin Polzin, but the 26-year-old has sent a strong message that he is prepared for a bigger role again.

Lokonga missed Hamburg’s last three Bundesliga games from the start, sitting out two matches with a thigh problem before returning for a 15-minute cameo as a substitute.

Speaking to Hamburger Abendblatt, he explained he now feels ready for the next step. “My fitness is constantly improving. I can’t say how close I am to 100 percent, but I’m ready for Saturday,” he said, before adding on the starting spot: “I’m ready, let’s see what the coach decides.”

The midfielder also drew confidence from the positive reaction of HSV fans to his return, saying it gives him a real boost. With Hamburg still fighting for the final points to secure survival, his inclusion from the start could be just as important for the team as it is for him personally.