Eliesse Ben Seghir has suffered another injury, missing Bayer Leverkusen's 4-3 away win at Mainz 05. It is the third fitness setback for the 21-year-old winger since the start of pre-season.

The Moroccan had previously played 19 minutes in a 6-0 friendly win over Fortuna Köln before the latest muscle injury struck. Sporting director Simon Rolfes downplayed the severity. "It is not a serious injury. Still, it's annoying because it has continued a bit like this. We hope it is the last one," said the 44-year-old.

Martinez Confirms Investigations

Head coach Carles Martínez confirmed that the exact extent of the injury is still being investigated. "We are investigating it and working to determine exactly how long he will be out. Of course, this news is bad," explained the 42-year-old. Martínez stressed that the player is desperate to play again but must learn to manage his body better. The coach pointed to the necessity of keeping the entire squad fit to manage the demanding season schedule.

The latest absence raises further questions about the injury proneness of the €32 million signing from the summer of 2025. So far this season, Ben Seghir has made 16 competitive appearances, four of them as a starter, accumulating 414 minutes of playing time. Last season, he already missed 17 games due to an ankle injury. These recurring issues are also reflected in the team's current injuries list.

Tella Returns, Kofane Out

Alongside Ben Seghir's injury, there were other squad updates. Nathan Tella returned from muscle issues and made his first Bundesliga appearance of the season in the 75th minute against Mainz. Striker Christian Kofane, 20, is out with a thigh injury and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

The win in Mainz solidified Bayer Leverkusen's position in fourth place in the standings with ten points from five games. The next opponent is league leaders SC Freiburg on October 18th. Current form of four wins and a draw from the last five matches provides momentum. Ben Seghir is expected to return from injury soon, after which he must prove himself in training under Martínez to earn his place in a competitive squad.

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