Dortmund’s Kobel, Witsel to Miss Bayern Clash

Dortmund will be without goalkeeper Gregor Kobel for Saturday's Bundesliga showdown at Bayern Munich. (AFP)
Dortmund will be without goalkeeper Gregor Kobel for Saturday's Bundesliga showdown at Bayern Munich. (AFP)
TT

Dortmund’s Kobel, Witsel to Miss Bayern Clash

Dortmund will be without goalkeeper Gregor Kobel for Saturday's Bundesliga showdown at Bayern Munich. (AFP)
Dortmund will be without goalkeeper Gregor Kobel for Saturday's Bundesliga showdown at Bayern Munich. (AFP)

Borussia Dortmund said they will be without goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and midfielder Axel Witsel for Saturday's top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash with Bayern Munich.

The Dortmund duo's absence follows injury blows to Mats Hummels, Giovanni Reyna, Thomas Meunier and Mahmoud Dahoud in recent weeks.

"In addition to the long-term injury absentees, the coach will be without Gregor Kobel, who has sustained a ligament injury, and Axel Witsel, who will miss out with an infection," the club said on Thursday.

"There are still question marks over Marius Wolf and Dan-Axel Zagadou. A decision on their involvement will be taken based on the final training session on Friday."

In more positive news, Dortmund will be able to call on the services of winger Raphael Guerreiro, who missed their 6-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg through injury.

Bayern, who are top of the league with 72 points, can claim a 10th straight title with a win over second-placed Dortmund.



Former Real Madrid, PSG Goalkeeper Keylor Navas Joins Newell's Old Boys on Free Transfer

 Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
TT

Former Real Madrid, PSG Goalkeeper Keylor Navas Joins Newell's Old Boys on Free Transfer

 Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo

Former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas joined the Argentinian club Newell's Old Boys on a free transfer on Wednesday, The AP reported.

The 38-year-old Costa Rican, who recently retired from international soccer, won three Champions League titles with Real but has not played since the end of his stint in Paris last May.

“Thank God we are returning to the pitch," Navas said on his social media accounts. "I feel ready, willing and very happy to take this new challenge.”

Newell's, Lionel Messi's boyhood club, is based in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of Buenos Aires.

Newell's called Navas “an international legend” on social media. He has played in the last three World Cups for his country.

The length of his deal with Newell's has not been disclosed.