Patson Daka injury adds to Hamburger SV striker concerns

Hamburger SV face a fresh concern after Patson Daka missed Zambia’s 2-0 AFCON qualifying victory over Togo with a muscle problem.

The 27-year-old striker was absent from the matchday squad, raising doubts over his availability after the international break.

Kicker reports that Daka is managing a muscular complaint, although neither the precise nature of the injury nor a possible recovery timetable has been disclosed. HSV will therefore need to assess him closely before their Bundesliga visit to Hoffenheim on October 10.

His potential absence would further weaken an already stretched forward line. Terem Moffi is recovering from a knee issue and has only completed light running, with the Hoffenheim fixture also thought likely to arrive too early for him.

If both Daka and Moffi are unavailable, coach Merlin Polzin would have only Yussuf Poulsen and Otto Stange as fit central-striker options. Even then, the choices are not straightforward. Poulsen is still being carefully managed after an injury-hit previous season and has not played more than 45 minutes in a match since pre-season began.

Stange has mainly operated in a wider attacking role, where injuries could also leave him needed. HSV will now await clarity on Daka’s condition.