Bayer Leverkusen defender Guela Doue has ruled himself out of the Bundesliga trip to Mainz after the international break as he continues his recovery from a serious right-calf muscle injury.
The 23-year-old Ivorian suffered the injury shortly after making his Leverkusen debut, playing 27 minutes against Augsburg before being forced to halt his progress.
Doue then sustained the calf problem during Leverkusen’s final training session ahead of their Europa League meeting with NK Celje.
Asked whether he could return for the Mainz fixture, the defender gave a clear response.
“No, unfortunately I still have to wait,” Doue said.
The injury initially forced the former Strasbourg defender to use crutches to protect the affected area, although he has since made progress in his rehabilitation.
Doue is currently undergoing aqua jogging, electrical stimulation therapy and massage as he works towards a return to full fitness.
He is not yet ready to resume running on the pitch, with individual running sessions expected to begin in approximately another week.
“I know that I have to be patient so that this injury heals first,” Doue said.
Leverkusen signed the defender from Strasbourg for around €30 million, and the club is expected to take a cautious approach to his recovery rather than risk aggravating the injury by rushing him back.
Despite the setback, Doue remains confident he will return to action in the coming weeks.
“In a few weeks, I will be able to play again,” he said.
The Mainz trip will therefore come too soon for the defender, who will instead continue his rehabilitation with the aim of returning to the Leverkusen squad once he has regained full fitness.
