New-signing Bailey On Leverkusen Bench In Hamburg

BERLIN, Feb 2 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 02nd Feb, 2017 ) : Bayer Leverkusen's teenage winger Leon Bailey will be on the bench for Friday's Bundesliga clash at Hamburg with captain Lars Bender, defender Aleksandar Dragovic and striker Javier Hernandez all injured.

The 19-year-old forward signed from Genk for 12 million Euros \ ($12.9m) before the transfer window closed on Tuesday. Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt says it is too soon for him to start, but the Jamaica youth international could make his debut off the bench.

"He has trained twice, he will travel with us, but a place in the starting line-up won't do him any good," said Schmidt on Thursday.

Leverkusen will be missing defender Bender, who has a foot problem, while Dragovic has an injured tendon.

Hernandez, who scored his first goal since October in last Saturday's 3-2 defeat at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach, is out with a groin injury. Schmidt says he expects a good performance at second-from-bottom Hamburg in the wake of their defeat to Gladbach, when Leverkusen, who are ninth, threw away a two-goal lead.

"We want a reaction, we want to be in good shape emotionally and every player must have the right thoughts on the pitch," warned Schmidt.