Karlsruher SC relies on patience with striker Šimić

Charlsruher SC coach Christian Eichner is still hoping that new signing Roko Šimić will make a breakthrough, even though the out-of-form striker has had to make do with substitute appearances of late. Before the second-division club's game at Dynamo Dresden on Saturday (20:30/Sky and Nitro), Eichner reported on a long conversation with the Milan-born player, who is on loan from Cardiff City and has also played nine times in the Champions League for other clubs.

Colleague Egloff as a role model

"He himself and we are now monitoring his progress at short intervals. Every player has our full support," explained the coach. That was also the case with midfielder Lilian Egloff, who is now in good form, "who also needed patience at the beginning".

In Egloff, Philipp Förster and the currently set Fabian Schleusener, Eichner certainly has alternatives to Šimić in attack. However, the 42-year-old does not expect a permanent attacking duo for the time being. "The international break will help us to use players more in their best positions," he said.

Even more serious than the unresolved striker issue is the indefinite absence of defensive boss Marcel Franke. The 32-year-old is suffering from a torn fiber in his abdominal muscles. "That's a bitter loss because we'll miss him both athletically in central defense and as a leader," said Eichner. In Dresden, right-back Sebastian Jung is also still questionable due to back problems.